According to the American Cancer Society, it is estimated that approximately 13,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2015, and about 4,000 of those women will succumb to the disease. In order to promote cervical cancer awareness and prevention, the National Cervical Cancer Coalition and the American Social Health Association have designated January as Cervical Health Awareness Month.
Fortunately, due to cancer research and better testing and treatment, great strides have been made over the past 30 years, with the average number of cervical cancer-related deaths declining by at least 50 percent. This decrease in mortality is largely due to regular screening resulting in early detection, and vaccinations against HPV (Human Papilloma Virus), now known to be a precursor to cervical changes that ultimately can result in a proliferation of cancer cells.
Two important issues in the fight against cervical cancer include: awareness of the disease and access to quality health care.
In an effort to decrease the rate of occurrence of cervical cancer, or a progression of the disease process, one might be aware of a few simple guidelines:
- Healthcare providers should recommend/perform regular Pap screening and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) tests to identify pre-cancerous cells and other abnormal conditions before they proliferate.
- If your physician or other healthcare providers find abnormalities or are unsure of the results of a Pap screening test, they should discuss your options for repeat and/or more focused testing and treatment, and they might refer you to get a second opinion.
- It is important to follow the directives of your healthcare providers in a timely fashion; and it is their responsibility to provide treatment within the standard of care to timely diagnose and treat cervical cancer and its precursor conditions appropriately, and to consult with their patients regarding testing and treatment options.
- Your Healthcare providers should discuss HPV vaccination with you. HPV vaccination may help prevent other types of genital cancers, as well as head and neck cancers.
If you or someone you love is suffering from cervical cancer due to a healthcare provider’s failure to properly and/or timely screen for and/or diagnose cervical cancer or its precursor conditions in their early stages, you may be able to pursue various claims surrounding this medical negligence. Speak with the experienced failure to diagnose cervical cancer lawyers at Blume Forte Fried Zerres & Molinari in New Jersey. We can provide insight and guidance needed to protect your rights. If your treatment was out of state (in a state other than New Jersey), please call — we may be able to refer you to a qualified attorney in your state.
Call 973-845-4421 for a no-cost comprehensive consultation with an understanding member of our team.