It is an astonishing fact, but every two minutes someone else in the UK is diagnosed with cancer. This is a disease most of us will be affected by in some way, either personally, or as a result of a loved one being diagnosed.
There are more than 200 types of cancer but lung, bowel and prostrate cancers are three of the four most common. It probably comes as no surprise that the most common is breast cancer.
In 2005 more than 45,500 women were diagnosed with breast cancer, that’s around 125 women a day! In addition around 300 men are diagnosed with the disease each year. These are frightening statistics, so is it any wonder that cancer is the number one fear for the British public, beating Alzheimer's, heart attacks and terrorism.
Incidence rates of breast cancer have increased by more than 50% over the past twenty-five years.
On a positive note, in England the NHS breast screening programme annually diagnoses around 10,000 cases of breast cancer and saves around 1,400 lives each year.
The Government has demonstrated its commitment to the delivery of cancer services with the launch of the Cancer Reform Strategy in 2007. This Strategy is being developed by the National Cancer Director, Professor Mike Richards. It is the intention that by 2012 “…to ensure that every person has access to world class NHS services at every point of the cancer pathway”.
Regrettably, despite the improvements in cancer diagnosis and care, Professor Richards has warned that patients are having to undergo more aggressive treatment and even dying unnecessarily due to GPs failures to identify symptoms of cancer and delays in referring them for specialist investigations.
The Government’s Cancer Reform Strategy identifies late diagnosis as a major reason why the UK cancer survival rates are so much worse than other countries in Europe. Whilst a joint report by the Department of Health and the National Patient Safety Agency found between January 2004 and November 2006 more than 1,900 patients suffered missed or late diagnosis, the problem is thought to be much greater. Breast, bowel and lung cancer were the likeliest to involve such errors.
These cases are encountered regularly by our Clinical Negligence team. We have considerable experience in working with individuals and families facing the aftermath of all types of medical accidents including misdiagnosis of cancer. We are only too aware of the anxiety surrounding seeking legal advice at such a difficult time. Our experts have the experience to offer support and carefully guide you through the process of seeking compensation. With a proven track record of high awards you can be sure that you will be looked after by our team.
See a selection of our case studies at:
Breast Cancer Misdiagnosis and
Ruptured Cyst
Footnote: Statistics from www.cancerresearchuk.org, The Cancer Reform Strategy 3 December 2007