Bowel Cancer.

Bowel Cancer Negligence & Misdiagnosis Claims Solicitors.

When bowel cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, it is often possible to remove the tumour and cure the cancer completely.

A delay in treatment, due to a misdiagnosis, could mean that the cancer is able to grow and spread to other parts of the body, thus reducing the likelihood of the cancer being curable.

If you or a loved one have experienced bowel cancer misdiagnosis which has then contributed to a worsening of your condition and a poorer prognosis, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in the UK, and is the second leading cause of death by cancer. This type of cancer can affect anyone, but the majority of patients are over 50, and almost two thirds of those diagnosed with bowel cancer are over 70.

The symptoms of bowel cancer are similar to those of other non-life-threatening conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), giving rise to potential misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. Symptoms tend to become more noticeable as the cancer progresses, by which time the possibility of successful treatment sadly diminishes.

Here at Lanyon Bowdler we understand that receiving a bowel cancer diagnosis can be an incredibly stressful and challenging time for you and your family, and this stress can be magnified if it later transpires that your condition has been made worse due to medical negligence.

Our friendly and caring cancer negligence claims team are here to support you as you navigate your compensation claim alongside your health journey, providing the help you may need.

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Am I eligible to Claim for Bowel Cancer Misdiagnosis?

Every medical professional you encounter owes you a duty of care to provide the correct diagnosis and treatment. In order to bring about a successful clinical negligence claim for bowel cancer misdiagnosis, there must be a breach in that duty of care which has caused undue harm; this could include:

  • Failure to recognise the symptoms of bowel cancer
  • Failure to refer the patient to a specialist
  • Failure to carry out appropriate diagnostic tests
  • Misdiagnosing bowel cancer as a different condition
  • Failure to interpret test results accurately
  • Failure to inform the patient of the test results
  • Failure to act on the test results
  • Failure to provide the correct treatment plan

This list is by no means exhaustive, and if you have received any kind of negligent treatment from a medical professional which has led to the deterioration of your condition, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

The symptoms of bowel cancer can be very similar to the symptoms of other, non-life-threatening conditions, so it is not uncommon for bowel cancer to be misdiagnosed in the first instance. It is often mistaken for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, or peptic ulcer disease.

The treatment for these conditions is usually very different to the treatment for bowel cancer, so a misdiagnosis can lead to substantial delays in receiving the correct treatment, and may cause further harm to the patient.

Sometimes a person may have no physical symptoms at all but blood test results show that they are suffering with iron deficiency anaemia, caused by bleeding from the cancer itself. This can be a “red flag” and the cause of the anaemia should be investigated.

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Our Bowel Cancer Claims Expertise

Our experienced solicitors are on hand to help you with your Bowel Cancer Claim. Get in touch with us today.

Why choose Lanyon Bowdler?

Here at Lanyon Bowdler, we take the time to get to know each and every client, learning as much as possible about your case so that we can offer the best possible service, tailored to your needs. Our medical negligence team has the knowledge, expertise, and more importantly empathy, to handle your compensation claim with the utmost diligence.

We are proud to have received top accreditations from leading legal bodies Chambers UK and The Legal 500, and we strive to uphold the reputation we have achieved. In addition to providing our legal expertise, we are also able to help you to access different treatments and therapies, and we can often secure interim payments to help you financially whilst the claim progresses.

Your Bowel Cancer Compensation questions answered

What is bowel cancer?

The bowel is a part of the digestive system, and it is made up of the small bowel (small intestine), and the large bowel which comprises the colon and rectum. Bowel cancer, sometimes referred to as colorectal cancer, is a type of cancer which affects any of these parts of the bowel. Most commonly, bowel cancer affects the colon or rectum, with cancer of the small intestine being the rarest type of bowel cancer.

The large bowel is mostly made up of the colon, which is around five feet long and is divided into four sections: the ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon and sigmoid colon. Cancer can develop in any four of these sections.

Bowel cancer can spread to other parts of the body via the lymphatic system, which is made up of lymph nodes that form part of the body’s immune system. One of the first places that bowel cancer can spread to is the abdomen due to its close proximity to the bowel. As well as the lymphatic system, bowel cancer can also spread via the bloodstream, often to the liver as the blood flows directly between these two parts of the body.

If your bowel cancer has spread to other areas of your body due to late diagnosis or delayed treatment, you could be entitled to make a claim for compensation. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our helpful and knowledgeable medical negligence team to find out more.

What are the symptoms of bowel cancer?

The symptoms of bowel cancer can often be quite subtle and they can also be similar to several other conditions such as IBS, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis. However, the key symptoms to look out for include:

  • A change in bowel habits lasting more than 4 weeks
  • Persistent iron deficiency anaemia
  • Blood in the stool with the absence of pain/discomfort
  • Abdominal bloating, pain, and discomfort after eating
  • Unexplained/unintentional weight loss
  • Persistent swelling of the stomach plus vomiting
  • Intermittent and often severe abdominal pain

If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist for four weeks or longer, it is recommended that you see your GP as soon as possible so that they can rule out certain conditions and send you for further testing where necessary.

What are the risk factors for developing bowel cancer?

Bowel cancer can affect anyone, but there are certain risk factors that may increase the likelihood of developing the disease, including:

  • People over the age of 60
  • People who frequently smoke tobacco
  • People who frequently drink alcohol
  • People who eat a lot of red and processed meats
  • People who are classified as medically obese
  • People with a family history of bowel cancer
  • People who consume very little fibre
  • People with a sedentary lifestyle
  • People with pre-existing digestive conditions

If you have any of the risk factors mentioned above and you present to your GP with symptoms of bowel cancer, they have a duty of care to refer you for further testing urgently. Any delay in referring you could lead to a worsening of your condition and could constitute medical negligence. To find out if you have grounds for a compensation claim, please get in touch with us today to discuss your case.

How is bowel cancer diagnosed?

If your GP suspects bowel cancer they will usually complete an urgent referral for further tests to be carried out at a hospital, which will include some or all of the following tests:

  • Flexible sigmoidoscopy – A procedure in which a narrow tube with a tiny camera and a light on one end is inserted into the rectum and lower colon.
  • Colonoscopy – Similar to a sigmoidoscopy, a colonoscopy is more invasive as it looks at the whole of the colon as opposed to just the lower section.
  • CT Colonography – This procedure uses computed tomography (CT) to scan the colon and rectum.
  • Faecal immunochemical test (FIT) – This type of test looks for traces of blood in the stool sample which can be a sign of bowel cancer.

Additionally, there is currently a national screening program open to everyone aged 60 to 74 years who is registered with a GP and lives in England. Patients within this demographic are automatically sent an NHS bowel cancer screening kit every two years to complete at home, and it is important that those who are eligible and receive a test complete and return it to ensure that any early warning signs are detected and acted upon quickly.

The programme is expanding so that everyone aged 50 to 59 years will be eligible for screening. This is happening gradually over four years and started in April 2021 with 56 year olds.

If it is suspected that you have bowel cancer and the appropriate tests were not carried out, or the test results were not acted upon, causing your cancer to progress and worsen, you may be entitled to claim for bowel cancer negligence compensation. Our specialist team of medical negligence solicitors can guide you through the process and ensure the best possible outcome from your case.

How is bowel cancer treated?

The type of treatment you receive for bowel cancer will typically depend on the type and the stage which the cancer is at, but treatment will typically involve one or more of the following methods

  • Colon surgery – In the early stages it may be possible to perform a local excision, whereby a small piece of the colon wall containing the cancer is removed. If the cancer has spread into the muscles that surround the colon, a colectomy is typically necessary, which involves the removal of an entire section of the colon.
  • Rectal surgery – Small, early stage rectal cancer can sometimes be removed via the bottom, using an endoscope. However, in most cases a larger area of the rectum needs to be removed via total mesenteric excision (TME), whereby a significant portion of the bowel around the tumour is removed.
  • Stoma surgery – A section of the bowel is removed, and faeces are temporarily diverted by bringing part of the bowel out via the abdominal wall and attaching it to the skin, which is known as a stoma. A bag is then worn over the stoma in order to collect the faeces.
  • Radiotherapy – This type of treatment has several uses. Before surgery it can shrink the cancer to improve the chance of complete removal. In early stage cancer, radiotherapy can be used to cure or stop the spread of the cancer. In advanced cases, radiotherapy is used palliatively to slow the spread of bowel cancer and prolong a patient’s life.
  • Chemotherapy – This involves a combination of cancer killing medicines administered either orally or intravenously, and can be used before surgery to shrink the tumour, or after surgery to minimise the risk of the cancer returning.
  • Targeted therapies – These are medicines which are designed to target the biological processes used by bowel cancer to spread throughout the body. For example, epidermal growth factor receptors (EFGRs) are proteins that help the cancer to grow, so targeting these can help to shrink tumours and slow the spread.

The longer that bowel cancer is left to progress, the more likely it is that aggressive treatment options will need to be used. This is why prompt and accurate diagnosis is so important when it comes to bowel cancer. If you have been affected by negligent treatment for bowel cancer which has led to your condition worsening, please get in touch to find out how we can help you.

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I contacted Lanyon Bowdler for advice on a Welsh Redress offer I received after a recent never event incident that happened during my ectopic pregnancy procedure. The advice and service I received from the very first phone call was fantastic. The advice and information from Emma Hart was clear and her approach was professional while being in a friendly manor. I was kept fully aware of what was happening and I am so thankful to her for sorting everything so quick and easy on my behalf. Her service was truly amazing.

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Was satisfied with the work they’ve done for my family, my experience with them all was very good and welcoming thank you all involved.

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Since dealing with Lanyon Bowdler they have been diligent, efficient and at all times very helpful along with being structured in dealing with matters, fees and clarity on all levels. Thank you.

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Over the last seven years I have been represented by Lanyon Bowdler in a clinical negligence case. Throughout this time, I put my complete trust in the firm and they did not let me down.

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My solicitor kept me informed on everything in the five years that it took to have a successful claim.

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Everything has been professional, efficient and courteous throughout and we are very pleased, both with the service and with the eventual outcome of our case. Everything was first class and exceeded our expectations. Thank you again for providing such splendid service. It is really appreciated.

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Time Limits on Making a Bowel Cancer Claim and Funding Options

In general, the time limit for bringing a Bowel Cancer Claim is three years from the date of the negligent act or the ‘date of knowledge’ of the injury (to cover situations where the impacts of negligence surface at a future time).

However, if a child suffers because of the negligence of another party, the time limit will usually expire on their 21st birthday unless the child never gains mental capacity due to their injuries, in which case the time limits do not apply.

We can support your Bowel Cancer Claim through a range of funding options, including our No Win No Fee Medical Negligence Claim promise, as well as through private funding, and legal expenses insurance. Our solicitors will consider whether we can handle your Bowel Cancer Claim on a No Win No Fee basis at the point of an initial evaluation of the circumstance surrounding your injury.

Contact us

Please get in touch with one of our specialist medical negligence lawyers if you consider that you may have a Bowel Cancer Negligence Claim.

At Lanyon Bowdler, we take pride in being a friendly and approachable law firm, so please get in touch if you or a loved one have been affected by a late or missed diagnosis, or incorrect treatment. Our team will be happy to talk you through the process of filing a compensation claim. There is no obligation to you for any charges for our initial assessment.

By choosing Lanyon Bowdler for any form of Medical Negligence Claim, you can rest assured that you have the best legal expertise on your team. Lanyon Bowdler’s Medical Negligence team is widely acclaimed and recognised as one of the best clinical negligence departments in the country. We are committed to providing exceptional levels of client care and will work closely and considerately with you to help find the best outcomes and help to get your life back on track.

We have offices in Shrewsbury, Bromyard, Conwy, Hereford, Ludlow, Oswestry, and Telford, so are able to act for clients all over Shropshire, Herefordshire, Mid and North Wales and across the Midlands (including Wolverhampton & Birmingham). As a leading full-service law firm, we can represent you wherever you live in England or Wales.

Our people

Meet the team.

Beth Heath
Beth Heath
Partner
Medical Negligence
Emma Broomfield
Emma Broomfield
Partner
Medical Negligence
Laura Weir
Laura Weir
Partner
Medical Negligence
Lucy Small
Lucy Small
Partner
Medical Negligence
Isabella Drummond
Isabella Drummond
Paralegal Apprentice
Personal Injury | Medical Negligence
Phoebe Blythin
Phoebe Blythin
Legal Support Assistant
Medical Negligence
Bryn Auger
Bryn Auger
Legal Support Assistant
Medical Negligence
Rebecca Asquith
Rebecca Asquith
Legal Support Assistant
Medical Negligence
Martin Hood
Martin Hood
Solicitor
Medical Negligence
Ola Muras
Ola Muras
Legal Support Assistant
Medical Negligence
Emma Hart
Emma Hart
Associate Solicitor
Medical Negligence
Natasha Gibbons
Natasha Gibbons
Senior Associate Solicitor
Medical Negligence
Georgia Bennett
Georgia Bennett
Legal Support Assistant
Medical Negligence
Amy Bills
Amy Bills
Solicitor
Medical Negligence
Claudia Booth
Claudia Booth
Solicitor
Medical Negligence
Sophie Bridges
Sophie Bridges
Solicitor
Medical Negligence
Nicole Smith
Nicole Smith
Legal Support Assistant
Medical Negligence
Emily Poyner
Emily Poyner
Trainee Solicitor
Medical Negligence
Sarah Martin
Sarah Martin
Costs Draftsman
Medical Negligence | Personal Injury
Andrew Morris
Andrew Morris
Trainee Costs Draftsman
Medical Negligence | Personal Injury
Adam Hodson
Adam Hodson
Senior Associate Solicitor
Medical Negligence
David Hughes
David Hughes
Associate Costs Manager
Medical Negligence | Personal Injury
Kate Ivey
Kate Ivey
Legal Assistant (ACILEX)
Medical Negligence
Alicia Johns
Alicia Johns
Associate Legal Executive (FCILEX)
Medical Negligence
Kay Kelly
Kay Kelly
Consultant
Medical Negligence
Knowledge

Case studies.

Case Study
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Misdiagnosis of Breast Cancer

In June 2001, the claimant (C), on the advice of a practice nurse, consulted the defendant GP (D) about her left breast....
Beth Heath • 26 Feb 2024
Case Study
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Delay in Diagnosis of Tumour

A split trial was ordered. Breach of duty and particularly the central issue of whether the Radiologist had acted neglig...
Beth Heath • 26 Feb 2024
Case Study
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Delay in Diagnosis of Bowel Cancer Leading to Shortened Life Expectancy

Mrs G had attended her GP with abdominal pain and bowel related symptoms. Blood results also showed low iron levels....
Beth Heath • 26 Feb 2024
Case Study
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Delay in Detection of Cervical Cancer

The Consultant failed to heed the advice of the Pathologist, suspicious of the findings of the biopsy and unhappy with t...
Beth Heath • 26 Feb 2024
Case Study
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£375,000 for Father of Two After Hospital Blunder

Our client's wife died at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in March 1998 after being diagnosed with cervical cancer five ye...
Beth Heath • 26 Feb 2024
Case Study
Close up of flower

Misfiled Radiology Report Causes Catastrophic Harm

Mr L originally presented to Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) in 2011 with suspected kidney stones....
18 Jul 2023
Knowledge

Latest knowledge.

Case Study
Lanyon Bowdler case study icon

Misdiagnosis of Breast Cancer

In June 2001, the claimant (C), on the advice of a practice nurse, consulted the defendant GP (D) about her left breast....
Beth Heath • 26 Feb 2024
Case Study
Lanyon Bowdler case study icon

Delay in Diagnosis of Tumour

A split trial was ordered. Breach of duty and particularly the central issue of whether the Radiologist had acted neglig...
Beth Heath • 26 Feb 2024
Case Study
Lanyon Bowdler case study icon

Delay in Diagnosis of Bowel Cancer Leading to Shortened Life Expectancy

Mrs G had attended her GP with abdominal pain and bowel related symptoms. Blood results also showed low iron levels....
Beth Heath • 26 Feb 2024
Case Study
Lanyon Bowdler case study icon

Delay in Detection of Cervical Cancer

The Consultant failed to heed the advice of the Pathologist, suspicious of the findings of the biopsy and unhappy with t...
Beth Heath • 26 Feb 2024
Case Study
Lanyon Bowdler case study icon

£375,000 for Father of Two After Hospital Blunder

Our client's wife died at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in March 1998 after being diagnosed with cervical cancer five ye...
Beth Heath • 26 Feb 2024
Case Study
Close up of flower

Misfiled Radiology Report Causes Catastrophic Harm

Mr L originally presented to Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) in 2011 with suspected kidney stones....
18 Jul 2023
Blog

Cervical Screening Awareness Week

Cervical cancer is the most common form of cancer in women under 35 with two women per day, in the UK, dying from t...
Georgia Bennett • 19 Jun 2023
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