New Jersey Cervical Cancer Misdiagnosis Lawyer

Failure To Diagnose Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is cancer that forms in tissues of the cervix (the organ connecting the uterus and vagina). It is usually a slow-growing cancer that may not have symptoms but can be found with regular Pap tests (a procedure in which cells are scraped from the cervix and looked at under a microscope). The National Cancer Institute estimates that over 12,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer in a one year period, while more than 4,000 women will die due to the disease.

Symptoms

Early cervical cancer typically does not produce any symptoms. When the cancer becomes more advanced, women may notice any one of the following symptoms:

• Bleeding at times other then during menstrual cycle
• Bleeding after sexual intercourse
• Menstrual periods that last longer than usual
• Increased vaginal discharge
• Pain during sexual intercourse

Part of the difficulty with cervical cancer diagnosis is that other factors or conditions may also explain these types of symptoms in women. This makes it even more important that routine screening tests, like Pap smears, be ordered by a physician so that he or she can properly diagnose the patient’s condition.

Diagnosis

One important fact that physicians can rely upon when diagnosing cervical cancer is the presence of HPV, or Human Papillomavirus. HPV is a common sexually transmitted disease that is the primary cause of essentially all cervical cancer. New HPV tests can detect the DNA of cancer-associated HPV virus in cervical cells and tissues even before there are visible cell changes. As a result, physicians clearly have an advantage in the diagnosis of cervical cancer. With HPV being the primary cause for almost all instances of the cancer, there is little excuse for a misdiagnosis. Unfortunately, errors still can be made. Physicians continue to fail to order appropriate screening tests to help diagnose cervical cancer, placing women at greater risk of dying from what is known as “the most treatable form of cancer.” Also, on occasion, slides of a Pap smear can be misread, also leading to a delay in the diagnosis of cervical cancer.

When to Contact a Lawyer

A misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis can lead to delayed treatment and an unfavorable prognosis. The experienced NJ cervical cancer misdiagnosis attorneys at Blume Forte have a track record of success in failure to timely diagnose cancer cases. Our New Jersey failure to diagnose cancer attorneys rely on independent medical experts to help review our client’s cases and determine where errors were made in diagnosis and treatment. We are then able to proceed with litigation in matters that have merit, ensuring that our client’s rights are protected under the law. If you have suffered through a cervical cancer misdiagnosis, contact Blume Forte at 973-845-4421 today for a consultation of your case.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines
• The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program Evaluates Physician Screening Practices
• Cervical Cancer Information from National Cancer Institute