Delayed Diagnosis of Breast Cancer
Early diagnosis is critical because the cure rate for breast cancer is directly related to the stage of the disease at diagnosis. Localized tumors can be cured 85 percent of the time. The cure rate falls dramatically when four or more lymph nodes are involved.
CAUSES OF DELAY IN DIAGNOSING BREAST CANCER
Physicians Rely Too Heavily on Negative Mammograms
The single reason responsible for more, serious, lawsuits than any other is misplaced confidence in mammograms. Mammograms are not definitive diagnostic tools. Mammography should be used as a screening to detect occult, clinically undetectable breast cancer. All suspicious lesions require biopsy .
Ignoring or Failing to Follow-up on Patient Complaints
The physician should never ignore or minimize a woman's concerns that something is wrong just because the physician's examination has negative findings. It is the physician's duty to continue to rule out cancer until the physician and the patient are satisfied that cancer is not present.
A persistent breast mass requires a diagnosis within a reasonable length of time - 4 to 6 weeks. If the physician palpates a mass on the first visit, women who are still menstruating should be asked to return for reexamination within 5 to 10 days after the onset of menses or at mid cycle.
A lesion identified as solid must be biopsied .
Failing to obtain a thorough and proper history
The clinical visit should begin with a detailed history taking that includes questioning as to when any breast and axially symptoms first appeared and how they evolved.
Ignoring Risk Factors
The physician must consider the following: a personal or family history of breast cancer; a previous breast biopsy showing hyperplasia, atypical hyperplasia, papilloma, or adenosis; nulliparity, delayed childbearing, or a negative history of breastfeeding; early menstruation and late menopause; and advanced age.
Failing to Perform Proper and Adequate Breast Examination
The preferred technique for clinical breast examination requires examining each breast with three different pressures for at least three minutes. Signs of breast cancer can be missed when only a perfunctory physical examination is conducted.
Believing the Patient is Too Young to Have Breast Cancer
Most breast lumps, particularly in young women, are benign. This must not diminish the degree of suspicion on the part of the physician. Every lump must have a definitive diagnosis . Once a lump is found and confirmed, mammography is indicated.
When a health care provider's malpractice causes a delay in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer and that delay results in a poorer prognosis for the patient, the health care provider may be held liable for the resulting damages.
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