Your life in California can instantly turn upside-down after learning that you have cancer. However, doctors aren’t always right the first time they see a patient. Because of this, some people getting told they have cancer don’t have it. Here’s a closer look at how cancer misdiagnoses happen and what to do if you got misdiagnosed.
How does a misdiagnosis for cancer happen?
One of the main reasons why it’s so hard to properly diagnose cancer is because this illness can be difficult to detect. It’s sometimes hard for medical professionals to find cancer cells. Unfortunately, this can lead to pathologists detecting cancer when it isn’t there. They can also sometimes not detect cancer when it’s present.
Another reason that cancer is hard to spot is because many forms of this disease exist. If medical professionals don’t know much about rare forms of cancer, they might not know how to detect them in the body.
What to do after receiving a misdiagnosis
If you don’t know what to do after receiving a misdiagnosis of cancer, you’re not alone. Considering that, one of the best things to do after getting misdiagnosed is to receive a second opinion.
During this time, it’s important to have copies of your medical records. Medical records, including your pathology reports, can give medical specialists a more accurate image of your current health. With a clear idea of your health, it could reduce the chance of a medical professional making another misdiagnosis.
As unfortunate as it is to think about, cancer misdiagnoses can and do happen. If you need help determining how to proceed with a medical misdiagnosis, it could be beneficial to contact a medical malpractice attorney.
