Skin cancer is the growth of malignant cells in the outer layers of the skin. It is the most common type of cancer. Tens of thousands of people in Australia will be diagnosed with skin cancer every year.
Skin cancer is a highly treatable condition. As many as 95% of cases of skin cancer can be cured. Only 1% of all cancer deaths are caused by skin cancer. This does not mean, however, that skin cancer cannot be deadly.
Malignant melanoma is a rare but very serious form of skin cancer. Of the one million cases of skin cancer diagnosed each year, around 60,000 will be melanoma. It’s a small percentage, but it accounts for the majority of all skin cancer deaths.
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Risk Factors - Basal Cell Carcinoma - Melanoma
Characteristics that may put a person at risk of developing skin cancer, which includes basal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma include :-
- family history of cancer
- unprotected exposure to the sun
- being fair skinned
- freckles
- blonde or red hair
- green or blue eyes
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Signs & Symptoms
Physicians should be aware of the early signs of skin cancer and take appropriate action when these symptoms are present. Failure to do so may be medical negligence. The most common signs of skin cancer are when a mole or skin growth :-
- bleeds
- gets larger
- changes color
- has an irregular border
- has a raised surface
When a patient comes to a healthcare professional with any type of skin growth, the growth should be tested for cancer. Healthcare professionals owe their patients a duty of care, and that includes detecting skin cancer in its early stages when it is still easily treated.
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Delayed Diagnosis
When skin cancer is not detected early, the patient suffers. Delayed treatment can create the need for the surgical removal of the growth and surrounding tissue. It may even require aggressive treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy. In the most serious of cases, such as those with melanoma, a delayed diagnosis can be fatal.
Some of the mistakes that can lead to a delayed diagnosis of skin cancer are a failure to :-
- perform a biopsy after removing a skin growth
- check with the patient about any family history of cancer
- properly diagnose the type of skin cancer the patient has
- properly interpret the results of a biopsy or other tests
- follow up with the patient
- refer a patient to an oncologist or dermatologist
- remove a potentially cancerous growth
- recommend skin cancer screening for patients who are at a high risk for developing the disease
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Clinical Negligence Solicitor
Our solicitors specialise in personal injury compensation claims and deal with skin cancer medical negligence cases using contingency fee arrangements, which means you pay nothing if your lawyer does not win your case and obtain compensation on your behalf.
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