Physicians generally rely in part on a blood test, referred to as the PSA test, to screen men with no symptoms for prostate cancer.  Physicians generally agree that abnormal PSA levels trigger a need to inform the patient about the possibility of cancer and to either refer the patient to a specialist or follow up with diagnostic testing to determine whether the patient does have cancer.  Yet, delayed diagnosis of prostate cancer cases are all too common. 

Consider the following reported cases.  In the first reported case, a physician waited two years after consecutive high PSA test results before informing his patient that the patient might have cancer.  By the time the man was diagnosed he already had advanced prostate cancer.  The law firm that handled this case reported they were able to settle the lawsuit for $600,000 on the man’s behalf.  In the second reported case, a physician waited sixteen months, with 3 consecutive high PSA readings, before informing his patient, a 64 year old man.  Before that the doctor had actually told the patient that the results were normal for a man his age.  The result: the cancer had already reached the man’s seminal vesicles. The law firm that handled this claim was able to report a settlement of $1.5 million on the man’s behalf. 

As these two lawsuits show, if a doctor fails to follow up on an abnormal result from a cancer screening test and the patient’s cancer spreads during the delay caused by the doctor, a cancer lawyer can help you figure out whether that doctor is liable for malpractice.  In the worst case situation, a wrongful death attorney can help the patient’s family determine whether they may have a claim for wrongful death.  The above should not be considered medical or legal advice.  You should always consult with a doctor before taking medical advice or making a medical decision.  And always consult with an attorney concerning any potential legal matter.

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