Medical Malpractice Lawyers
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Colon_Cancer_Misdiagnosis:_Signs_&_Symptoms :|: Colon_Cancer_Misdiagnosis:_Risk_Factors
Colon_Cancer_Misdiagnosis_Lawyers:_HelpColorectal Cancer (cancer of the colon, appendix, rectum, and anus)
Lung cancer is the leading cancer-related cause of death in the United States. What most people do not realize is that colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. Nearly 130,000 new colorectal cancer cases are diagnosed each year, with nearly 55,000 of them fatal.
Over 40% of all colorectal cancer diagnoses are fatal, but this need not be the case. If the diagnosis is made at an early enough stage of disease progression, successful treatment could result. Unfortunately, many of these cases are not diagnosed until they have progressed to the points where they have become life-threatening. This may be the result of failing to attend periodic physicals or not seeking medical attention because the symptoms, which include diarrhea, constipation, bleeding from the bowel, and cramping, are dismissed as being the result of other causes. Because of this, we suggest that you attend all medically prescribed physicals and report any of symptoms noted below to your physician. However, despite attending periodic physicals or promptly reporting conditions to your physician, the failure to properly diagnose or treat colorectal cancer may be caused by improperly performed medical tests and analyses.
During periodic physicals, or after reporting these symptoms to your physician, a cancer screening should be performed. This screening should be able to identify cancer-related problems, such as the presence of polyps. Because of the slow progression but high fatality of this disease, early detection is the key to survival. Early screening is a process that generally requires either the performance of a flexible sigmoidoscopy, during which a sigmoidoscope is inserted into the rectum, or a colonoscopy, during which a colonoscope is inserted in into the rectum. Beginning at the age of 50, it is generally accepted that a flexible sigmoidoscopy should occur every 5 years, with a full colonoscopy occurring every 10 years. There are also advanced diagnostic tests being developed, one of which requires no invasive procedures. Despite the procedure that is available to you, a properly performed test could save your life. Thus, misdiagnosing or improperly treating colorectal cancer is a particularly regrettable mistake.
Colon Cancer Misdiagnosis: Signs & Symptoms
The symptoms of Colon Cancer could include any of the following:
Blood in, or on, the stools. The blood may be bright red or dark in color
A change in your normal bowel habit - e.g. constipation or diarrhea that lasts for many weeks.
Pains in the abdomen.
Unexpected or unexplained weight loss and/or tiredness
A feeling of not having emptied your bowel properly after a bowel movement.
A blockage/obstruction in the bowel. The symptoms could be sickness, constipation, strong abdominal pain and/or a swelling feeling.
- Age: Colon Cancer / Rectal Cancer can occur in younger people, but over 9 out of 10 people who get it are over the age of 50 years.
- A previous polyp or Colon Cancer / Rectal Cancer.
Not all types of polyps increase the risk of colon cancer, but a type called adenomatous polyp does.- Personal history of chronic bowel inflammation
Ulcerative colitis will slightly increase the risk of developing Colon Cancer / Rectal Cancer.- Diet: A diet that is high in red meat and fat and low in vegetables.
- Exercise: Moderate exercise may help prevent Colon Cancer / Rectal Cancer developing.
- Obesity: Being overweight or obese may increase the risk of Colon Cancer / Rectal Cancer developing.
- Smoking and alcohol: Although not as strong a risk factor as for other cancers, smoking may also increase the risk of Colon Cancer / Rectal Cancer, particularly in heavy drinkers. Alcohol consumption may increase risk.
- Family history
Less than 1 in 10 cases of Colon Cancer / Rectal Cancer are due to an inherited gene defect. However, there are certain families who have an increased risk of developing Colon Cancer / Rectal Cancer due to a variety of conditions including familial adenomatous polyposis and hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer.- Personal history of Colon Cancer / Rectal Cancer: Having had Colon Cancer / Rectal Cancer before increases the risk of a new colon cancer developing.
The overriding goal of Vernon J. Petri and Associates and his team of colon cancer lawyers is to provide its clients with information regarding colon cancer, advice when helpful, and litigation experience when needed. Our colon cancer misdiagnosis lawyers want to help you as much as possible, and make you as comfortable as possible during this difficult experience.
Whether our firm's task involves a complex colon cancer misdiagnosis lawsuit or a smaller claim for your benefits and financial assistance, the best interest of the clients always comes first. We will discuss the situation with you and analyze the merits of your case in an honest and forth-right manner, making the situation as easy to deal with as possible. If you have an colon cancer or misdiagnosis problem and need Help? Please click here to contact one our Colon Cancer Misdiagnosis Lawyers.
Cases Handled Nationwide
Vernon J. Petri & Associates,
Colon Cancer Lawyers
2124 East Hanna Ave.
Indianapolis, Indiana 46227-3314
(800) 486-4450 [24 Hour Hot Line]
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Colon Cancer Misdiagnosis Help Form :|: Colon Cancer Lawyers Resources
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| Patient studies indicate the chance of experiencing a misdiagnosis is in the range of 8% to 40%, making it most common of all medical mistakes. |
