There are different kinds of gynecological cancers. These include vaginal cancer, uterine cancer, cervical cancer, vulvar, fallopian tube, and ovarian cancer. Generally, however, all benefit from early detection, which is why looking for early signs of cancer can be critical to outcomes. In some instances, effective treatments and positive results may depend on your doctor following guidelines to determine whether you have you might have a particular form of cancer. If you were harmed by your doctor’s failure to abide by screening guidelines for gynecological cancer, you should call the seasoned Syracuse medical malpractice lawyers of DeFrancisco & Falgiatano. We seek and work hard to achieve the best possible results for each of our clients. With thirty years of experience, we are well-regarded among our peers, judges, and independent organizations.
Screening Guidelines for Gynecological CancerEach type of cancer has its own unique risk factors. Screening guidelines can vary not only based on the type of cancer in question, but also particular traits of a patient. They can vary from place to place and there are different organizations that issue them. There are situations in which screening makes things worse because they can show cancer even when cancer is not present, which means litigation can be complicated and require substantial expert testimony. For these reasons, it is critical to retain a Syracuse attorney who handles lawsuits arising out of failure to diagnose gynecological cancer.
Screening for cervical cancer is supposed to commence when a patient is in her twenties, and according to some sources, when a woman is 21. Many guidelines recommend that the tests should then occur every three years. Once you turn 30, you should be screened every five years. If you turn 65, and you have received cervical cancer test results, you do not need to be tested regularly any longer. However, if you have a history of cervical precancer, you will need to keep getting tested for at least two decades more.
No screening tests exist for vaginal cancer. However, if you have lumps or alterations to your vagina or vulva, you should report them to your doctor. Regular checkups can also mitigate against the risks of vaginal cancer progressing.
You may need to have a yearly endometrial biopsy to test for uterine cancer if you have certain risk factors. You should also be told about risks of endometrial cancer once you reach menopause.
Ovarian cancer doesn’t have screening tests. When doctor perform pelvic exams, they check ovaries. In most cases, a doctor will not be able to detect a cyst on the ovaries unless it is large. Rather, doctors must be alert to symptoms like alterations in urinary symptoms, abdominal pain, and bloat. You may be given cancer risk assessments if you have risk factors for ovarian cancer. Tests used to diagnose ovarian cancer should be carefully administered because problems associated with these tests can result in blood loss, infections, bowel injuries, and blood vessel and heart issues. False positives can also cause unnecessary oophorectomy, which is surgical removal of one or both ovaries.
LiabilityWhen your doctor fails to follow screening guidelines for gynecological cancer, you are at risk of your cancer spreading and becoming more difficult and painful to treat. A loved one could die as the result of her doctor’s failure to abide by professional standards of care that required certain screening guidelines to be followed.
In order to recover damages for medical malpractice, we will need to show that your doctor’s departure from screening guidelines constituted medical malpractice. In other words, we’ll need to prove it’s more likely than not: (1) you were owed a professional standard of care, (2) breach of the professional standard of care, (3) causation, and (4) damages.
DamagesIn most cases, failure to diagnose cancer cases are brought to recover compensatory damages. When we can establish liability, our attorneys may be able to recover can include:
If you were harmed by gynecological cancer in Upstate New York, you should call the seasoned Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys of DeFrancisco & Falgiatano. We aim to give children and their families the best representation possible in Lowville, Rochester, Auburn, Watertown, Herkimer, Oswego, Wampsville, Canandaigua, Lyons, Ithaca, Cooperstown, Oneida, Utica, Binghamton, and Elmira. Complete our online form or call us at 833-200-2000 for a free consultation.