Prostate cancer is currently the most common type of cancer in men in the UK but accurate diagnosis is fraught with difficulty and there is no screening programme in place.
At present, diagnosis methods are regarded as unreliable with some prostate cancers being missed and some leading to treatment which may not have been strictly necessary and which can cause unpleasant side effects.
As reported by the BBC, a new trial, funded by Prostate Cancer UK and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, is being introduced to improve diagnosis accuracy, assessing the value of MRI scans and saliva testing as well as the current prostate-specific antigen tests.
More than 12,000 male deaths in the UK each year are due to prostate cancer. Early diagnosis, identifying the most aggressive cancers before they have a chance to spread, provides the greatest chance of effective treatment and survival. Delayed diagnosis is likely to be associated with a poorer outcome.
However, the unreliability of testing currently means that there is no screening programme in place. Targeted testing has been suggested for the most vulnerable groups. A decision as to the introduction of screening is due shortly.
Medical negligence in cancer diagnosis
Cancer medical negligence can have a catastrophic impact, limiting treatment options and allowing a cancer to spread, thereby reducing the patient’s chance of long-term survival.
Where earlier diagnosis may have been possible and where substandard medical care has led to an unnecessary delay, it may be possible to claim compensation for the impact of that negligence.
Contact Glynns Solicitors, specialists in medical negligence law, for a free consultation with an experienced solicitor.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
Share Article With:
|
|
|
|
|
|
