What to Do with a Cancer Diagnosis

A cancer diagnosis is difficult to contend with, whether the diagnosis pertains to you or a loved one. At this point, it is important to do everything you can to battle the disease and stand up for your rights. Your chances for survival depend on a combination of an accurate diagnosis as well as the right treatment from a doctor. Understand that if you are denied these rights in any way, then you must take measures under a possible cancer medical malpractice case to protect your family.

Learn About Cancer

Cancer can originate in different areas of the body, but each type has one thing in common: each occurs when something goes wrong with healthy body cells. Tumors can form and cancer cells may spread through the bloodstream to other organs and tissues.

The first thing you need to determine is what stage of cancer you’re in. Stage I generally means that the disease is currently confined to the originating area. For example, stage I breast cancer is solely within the breast and hasn’t spread to outer tissues.

You should also ask your doctor about other diagnostic tests you may need, and you may even consider gaining a second opinion. These steps help to ensure that you receive the correct treatment you need to help battle this disease.

Wrong Diagnosis

In a perfect world, cancer is diagnosed and treated correctly and in a timely manner to help save a patient’s life. But what if you or a loved one is diagnosed and not given proper treatment? Or what if the signs of cancer are there but you were not referred to an oncologist? Unfortunately, the consequences of such actions may not be reversed. It is important to talk to a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you suspect your doctor may have mishandled your cancer case.