Cancer misdiagnosis is more common than many realize, and the consequences can be truly devastating. Cancer misdiagnosis statistics suggest a significant number of patients face delayed diagnoses or incorrect diagnoses, leading to unnecessary cancer treatments and premature or preventable deaths.
At Lipton Law, a trusted medical malpractice law firm based in Southfield, Michigan, we have years of experience assisting those affected by misdiagnoses of cancer. Whether it’s lung cancer, breast cancer, or another type of cancer, our medical malpractice attorneys understand how these diagnostic errors can turn lives upside down.
If you or a loved one has been affected by a cancer diagnosis that was missed or delayed, we are here to help. A Michigan medical misdiagnosis lawyer from our team will guide you through the legal process. For a free consultation, call (248) 557-1688 or contact us online today. We want to ensure you receive the justice you deserve.
What Causes Diagnostic Errors in Healthcare?
Diagnostic errors in healthcare can occur when medical professionals fail to make a timely and accurate diagnosis. These medical errors may result from poor clinical judgment, failure to order the correct diagnostic testing, or overlooking important details in a patient’s medical records.
Sometimes, a doctor diagnoses the wrong condition. For example, confusing colon cancer with irritable bowel syndrome. This kind of incorrect diagnosis can delay cancer treatment and, in some cases, lead to a preventable death. Other diagnostic errors may occur when a doctor ignores a patient’s symptoms, misinterprets imaging tests, or fails to recommend additional testing.
Misdiagnosis of Cancer Statistics
Researchers from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have found that diagnostic errors are the most common and catastrophic type of medical error. A 2023 study shows that misdiagnosed cancers account for 13.2% of diagnostic errors that lead to death or permanent disability. Lung cancer and breast cancer are among the most frequently misdiagnosed.
Commonly Misdiagnosed Cancers
Some types of cancer are more likely to be misdiagnosed than others. A delayed or incorrect diagnosis can cause serious harm, especially when early detection is crucial for effective treatment.
Lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer, and colon cancer are the most frequently misdiagnosed forms of the disease. These conditions are often confused with less serious illnesses, which can lead to a patient receiving the wrong treatment or no treatment at all.
In this section, we explain how each type of cancer is commonly misdiagnosed and why speaking with a Southfield, MI, cancer misdiagnosis attorney may be an important step if you’ve been affected.
Lung Cancer Misdiagnosis
Lung cancer is one of the most frequently misdiagnosed cancers, commonly mistaken for bronchitis, pneumonia, or chronic conditions like asthma. Studies show that lung cancer is misdiagnosed in about 6.8% of cases, delaying cancer treatment and lowering survival rates.
If you or a loved one has experienced a lung cancer misdiagnosis, it’s essential to consult a Michigan medical malpractice attorney who understands how these medical mistakes can impact patient safety and outcomes.
Breast Cancer Misdiagnosis
Breast cancer is also commonly misdiagnosed, especially in younger patients and women with dense breast tissue. According to healthcare research, mammograms can give false-negative results, missing nearly 12% of breast cancers.
Early diagnosis is key, but many patients are left waiting due to missed warning signs or delayed diagnostic testing. A breast cancer misdiagnosis lawyer can review your medical records and help you understand whether you may have a malpractice claim.
Prostate Cancer Misdiagnosis
When it comes to prostate cancer, overdiagnosis is especially prevalent. Unfortunately, it can lead to unnecessary cancer treatment for men who may never experience symptoms or health problems from the disease. Research findings suggest that 20% to 50% of men treated for prostate cancer would never have become symptomatic, even without treatment.
Despite this, a lot of patients undergo invasive procedures or radiation therapy that may cause lifelong side effects. Many doctors rely too heavily on screening without fully considering the patient’s overall health or medical history, which can result in the wrong treatment and unnecessary emotional stress. These medical mistakes highlight the importance of accurate diagnosis and careful clinical judgment.
If you’ve suffered from a prostate cancer misdiagnosis, our medical malpractice attorneys can determine whether you have a valid malpractice claim.
Skin Cancer Misdiagnosis
Skin cancer, including melanoma, is sometimes overlooked or confused with non-cancerous skin conditions like eczema, moles, or rashes. These diagnostic mistakes can be dangerous, as skin cancer progresses quickly without proper care. A 2021 study shows that dermatologists using appropriate diagnostic tools detect melanoma around 85.7% of the time. In contrast, primary care doctors using only visual exams detect it about 49.5% of the time.
This gap in accuracy shows why skin cancer is often misdiagnosed, especially when doctors don’t follow up with a biopsy or further testing. Misinterpretation of visible symptoms may cause delayed treatment or a cancer diagnosis that’s completely missed.
If your skin cancer treatment was delayed or you received a wrong diagnosis, it’s important to contact a skin cancer misdiagnosis lawyer in MI. At Lipton Law, our attorneys can help review your case and discuss the legal options available to you.
Colon Cancer Misdiagnosis
Colon cancer is sometimes mistaken for conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, or other common digestive problems. This can result in an unreasonable delay in obtaining the correct diagnosis and receiving proper treatment. In many cases, doctors fail to order a colonoscopy or recommend further diagnostic testing, even when symptoms continue.
These diagnostic errors can have serious consequences, especially given that the lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is about 1 in 24 for men and 1 in 26 for women. When you’ve been affected by this kind of malpractice, a Michigan colon cancer malpractice lawyer with Lipton Law can help you take the next step.
Importance of a Correct Diagnosis of Cancer
Having a correct cancer diagnosis is one of the most critical steps in receiving the proper treatment and improving the chances of recovery. When a doctor makes an accurate diagnosis early, patients can begin cancer treatment before the disease spreads, which can significantly impact the outcome.
A delayed or incorrect diagnosis can lead to serious harm, including permanent disability or even a preventable death. That’s why it’s so important for medical professionals to order proper diagnostic tests, review medical records carefully, and take the patient’s symptoms seriously.
Types of Cancer Diagnosis Errors
Even a small diagnostic error can lead to serious, and sometimes life-threatening, consequences. A cancer diagnosis can go wrong in several ways, such as being told you have cancer when you don’t, being diagnosed with the wrong type of cancer, or experiencing delays in getting the correct diagnosis. These types of medical errors can impact your treatment plan, recovery, and long-term health.
Wrongful Diagnosis of Cancer
A wrongful diagnosis happens when a doctor diagnoses cancer that isn’t actually there. This can lead to unnecessary cancer treatment, physical and emotional stress, and lasting harm. For example, a false positive on imaging tests could cause a patient to undergo surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation without ever having cancer.
These medical mistakes may be caused by poor clinical judgment, misread test results, or failure to confirm the original diagnosis with further testing. If you were wrongly diagnosed with cancer, a medical malpractice lawyer at Lipton Law can review your case and help you pursue a medical malpractice claim.
Cancer misdiagnosis occurs when a doctor identifies the wrong type of cancer or confuses it with another disease. For instance, colon cancer may be misdiagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome, or lung cancer could be mistaken for a respiratory infection. This often results in the wrong treatment, delayed treatment, or no treatment at all.
A cancer misdiagnosis attorney can help determine whether a diagnostic error contributed to your situation and whether legal action is possible.
Delayed Diagnosis of Cancer
A delayed diagnosis means that the correct diagnosis was eventually made, but not in time to begin early treatment. In many cases, medical professionals overlook early symptoms, fail to order proper diagnostic testing, or ignore abnormal test results. Delays in diagnosing cancer can allow the disease to spread and become harder to treat.
If you believe there was an unreasonable delay in your diagnosis, our Southfield cancer misdiagnosis law firm is here to help.
Missed Diagnosis of Cancer
A missed diagnosis means that cancer was completely overlooked or not diagnosed at all, often until it has reached a later stage. Missed diagnoses frequently result in significantly lower survival rates.
Cancer misdiagnosis statistics show that missed diagnoses are a leading cause of malpractice claims involving major diseases. If your cancer was missed entirely, it’s essential to speak with a Michigan medical malpractice attorney who can help you take action.
How a Medical Malpractice Attorney Can Help After Cancer Misdiagnosis
At Lipton Law, our medical malpractice attorneys have extensive experience representing individuals across Michigan in cancer misdiagnosis cases. We work alongside a dedicated team of nurses who assist us in reviewing medical records, test results, and clinical decisions. Their insight helps us build stronger malpractice claims on behalf of our clients.
Our cancer misdiagnosis lawyers are here to help you seek accountability and get the answers you deserve. If diagnostic errors have harmed you or someone you love, call our Southfield office today for a free consultation.
Injured Due to Cancer Misdiagnosis? Contact Michigan Medical Misdiagnosis Lawyers at Lipton Law Today
A cancer misdiagnosis can cause lasting harm, but you may have the right to take legal action. At Lipton Law, our experienced cancer misdiagnosis attorneys support patients and families across Michigan who have suffered due to medical mistakes like a delayed diagnosis, an incorrect diagnosis, or a missed cancer diagnosis. Our legal team is here to listen, provide clear guidance, and pursue the compensation you deserve.
We offer a free consultation, and you won’t pay any legal fees unless we win your case. Call (248) 557-1688 or contact us online to speak with a Michigan cancer misdiagnosis lawyer today.