Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is normally diagnosed by a combination of 3 types of investigation:

1. Clinical examination;
2. Ultrasound scan or mammogram;
3. Biopsy (analysis of cells under a microscope by a pathologist).

This is known as the ‘Triple Test’. Breast cancer should only be diagnosed where there results of all 3 investigations suggest that a growth is cancer.

Misdiagnosis of Breast Cancer

Mistakes sometimes arise when women are told they have breast cancer when they do not. This may be because of mistakes by pathologists in analysing cells under a microscope. Alternatively it can be because a doctor assumes a condition is cancer despite one of the investigations being negative.

A wrong diagnosis of breast cancer may lead to:

• More breast tissue being removed that necessary
• Cosmetic deformity to the breast
• Lymph nodes being unnecessarily removed from the armpit (axilla)
• Lymphoedema, a disabling condition where the arm swells and becomes painful
• Unnecessary anxiety

Mistakes in falsely diagnosing breast cancer can therefore be very serious.

Breast Cancer Compensation Claims

Russell Jones and Walker have recovered large awards of compensation where mistakes have led to unnecessary diagnosis of breast cancer.

Contact us today to talk about your delayed or misdiagnosed cancer claim

Please call 0800 916 9049, email enquiries@rjwslatergordon.co.uk or use the short online enquiry form. Our dedicated medical negligence solicitors can offer immediate and accessible representation anywhere in the UK.