Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. In Australia over 10,000 cases are diagnosed each year. For 1,000 of those men, the disease will prove fatal. Well-known diagnostic tools are available to healthcare professionals for detecting prostate cancer. Healthcare professionals owe their patients a duty of care, which includes testing for prostate cancer when a patient is exhibiting symptoms of the disease. If that standard of care is not met, and the patient is harmed as a result, then that patient may be able to bring a medical negligence claim against their healthcare provider.
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Clinical Negligence
A number of different errors on the part of a healthcare provider can result in a claim for prostate cancer medical malpractice. These errors include :-
- failing to perform a PSA blood test or physical examination
- inadequately monitoring a patient with a family history of cancer
- failing to identify a cancerous tumour during an examination
- disregarding the results of a blood test or biopsy
- failing to recognise a patient’s symptoms of prostate cancer
- losing a patient’s records and/or test results
- neglecting to follow up with a patient
- neglecting to perform a biopsy when the results of a test or examination are abnormal
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Symptoms
With today’s medical advancements, most cases of prostate cancer can be detected before the patient even exhibits any symptoms. Common signs and symptoms of prostate cancer include :-
- frequent urination at night
- urinary retention
- painful urination
- painful ejaculation
- urinary dribbling
- delayed or slow start of the urinary stream
- blood in the urine
- incontinence
- pain in the lower back
- abdominal pain
- painful bowel movements
- anaemia
- lethargy
- weight loss
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Diagnosis
As mentioned above, doctors have a number of tests and tools at their disposal in order to test for prostate cancer. One diagnostic tool is a digital rectal exam. If the results of the exam are abnormal, then a biopsy should be carried out. A biopsy is the removal of a tissue sample for examination by a pathologist who looks for abnormalities in the sample under a microscope. Another way to detect prostate cancer is to test a patient’s PSA level. PSA is a naturally occurring chemical in the body but is at a higher level than normal in men with prostate cancer.
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Specialist Solicitors
Our medical negligence solicitors can provide representation to prostate cancer patients all across Australia. Our lawyers are dedicated to obtaining full and fair compensation for victims of medical negligence. You will receive professional service from a solicitor who understands the complexities of medical negligence law.
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No Charge No Obligation Legal Advice
For free legal advice about your potential medical negligence claim, contact us today. Simply complete the contact form on this website, and one of our specialist cancer negligence solicitors will telephone you to discuss your case.
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