Almost every life has been touched by cancer in some way. Breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, lymphoma, and other types of cancer kill hundreds of thousands of Americans each year. Fortunately, advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer have reduced the number of people who die from the disease. The American Cancer Institute estimates that there will be 22.2 million cancer survivors by the year 2030. However, a cancer sufferer cannot start potentially life-saving treatment until he or she receives a diagnosis. When a medical professional fails to diagnose cancer, the victim or the victim’s surviving loved ones may bring a medical malpractice claim against the negligent medical professional.

When is a Medical Professional Considered Negligent?

Failure to diagnose cancer can lead to unnecessary suffering, massive medical debt, and even an avoidable patient death. If a doctor or other medical professional fails to diagnose cancer, this may be an example of medical negligence. The cancer sufferer or the surviving loved ones may bring a medical malpractice claim against the medical professional.

Medical malpractice occurs when: