Breast Cancer Medical Malpractice Facts from our Attorneys in Arizona

Breast cancer, along with lung cancer, is one of the most common forms of malignant cancer in the United States. Thanks to continuous advances in science, breast cancer has a good chance of being cured when it is detected in its early stages. When a doctor fails to diagnose breast cancer, or delays proper diagnosis and treatment, the patient may be able to file a medical malpractice suit. When doing so, they should seek out medical malpractice attorneys who have considerable expertise in the Arizona statutes pertaining to failure to diagnose.

How Breast Cancer is Diagnosed

Women should regularly monitor the health and condition of their breasts. If they notice symptoms such as nipple discharge, a painful or reddened breast, or a suspicious lump or mass, they should not hesitate to contact a doctor for a more thorough screening.

Whether or not a woman has specifically requested a breast exam, an experienced doctor should routinely include one in a woman’s yearly check-up or gynecological exam. If a lump is found, the doctor should order a mammogram and a biopsy to ensure that the lump is benign. If these procedures are not followed and a malignant tumor is allowed to grow, that doctor may be held liable for medical malpractice. Our attorneys have also won cases against Arizona doctors who incorrectly read mammograms or ultrasounds of tumors.

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Medical Malpractice and Breast Cancer

Unlike other illnesses or injuries, breast cancer may be undetectable to the average person. Women rely on the expertise of doctors to alert them to abnormal breast masses. Therefore, when a doctor fails to diagnose breast cancer in a woman, the risk of harm is directly increased. If this failure results in a more advanced stage of cancer, the doctor may be found guilty of medical malpractice.

The first step of a breast cancer-related medical malpractice case is to prove that the doctor failed to take the appropriate steps in diagnosing or treating the disease. Our medical malpractice attorneys can assist in this step by researching the facts of the matter; we will obtain all pertinent medical records and consult with experts in the field of breast cancer and its treatment.

In order to have a viable medical malpractice case, the attorneys need to prove that the Arizona doctor breached his or her duty by failing to promptly diagnose the breast cancer, and that the patient was injured due to that breach of duty. In the case of breast cancer, this would mean that the patient’s cancer reached a more advanced stage than would have occurred with a timely diagnosis.

What to Do Next

If you believe that the breast cancer suffered by yourself or a family member should have been diagnosed and treated in a more timely fashion, you may wish to investigate the possibility of a medical malpractice lawsuit. The attorneys of Phillips Law Group, serving all of Arizona, can meet with you to discuss the details of your case. During your free consultation, we will be able to advise you as to whether your case has sufficient merit to be pursued. Contact our medical malpractice attorneys today to schedule your consultation.

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