Medical Malpractice Lawyers Serving DuPage County, Cook County and Kane County

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 250,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer are diagnosed each year. Advances in medical technology and early detection have led to a 40 percent reduction in the number of breast cancer-related deaths in the last 25 years. Unfortunately, between 6 to 10 percent of all new breast cancer cases are at stage IV, also called metastatic, at the time of diagnosis.

In some such cases, the patient failed to notice a problem or seek treatment until the cancer metastasized. In others, however, medical professionals did not properly identify the problem in its early stages. If a doctor’s misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose breast cancer has cost you time with your family or caused the early death of a loved one, the experienced team at Walsh, Knippen & Cetina, Chartered can help you take action.

Failure to Diagnose Cancer

As with any form of cancer, the keys to successfully treating breast cancer are early detection, diagnosis, and treatment. When caught early, breast cancer can be treated and survival rates are very high. Once the cancer metastasizes and starts to spread, however, the average survival rate drops dramatically.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women, and the earliest warning signs are usually detected through preventive screenings, including mammograms. It is, however, up to the patient’s doctor to recognize the indications of breast cancer and to take definitive steps to address the issue. Misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose breast cancer can be caused by a doctor failing to:

• Send the patent for follow-up diagnostics, including additional mammograms or biopsies;
• Properly interpret test results;
• Refer the patient to a cancer specialist; and
• Follow up with the patient regarding tests or treatment results.

In some cases, laboratory staff and the hospital itself may share in the liability for failing to diagnose breast cancer. Negligent or improper testing procedures and analysis could contribute to the problem.

Challenges of Misdiagnosis Lawsuits in Illinois

At Walsh, Knippen & Cetina, Chartered, we understand that it can be difficult to prove that a doctor failed to properly diagnose breast cancer. It is often equally challenging to show that the delayed diagnosis directly affected the patient’s ability to receive treatment and, in turn, his or her length and quality of life. Our attorneys, however, have the knowledge, skill, and experience to handle such complex cases and to help you and your family seek justice.

If a cancer misdiagnosis has caused pain and frustration for you and your loved ones, we are ready to help. We know that a financial award cannot restore your health or bring your loved one back, but it is important to hold medical professionals accountable for their mistakes.

To learn more about filing a medical malpractice claim for the failure to diagnose breast cancer, contact our office. Call 630-462-1980 to schedule a free consultation today. We represent injured victims and their families in Wheaton and DuPage County, as well as in Kane County, Will County, Cook County, and throughout Illinois.