Breast Cancer Awareness Month serves as a vital reminder for both women and men to remain alert to the key warning signs of the disease. With breast cancer holding the title as the most prevalent cancer amongst women, clinical negligence specialists at Higgs LLP are seizing this opportunity to elevate public knowledge on early red flags, emphasising the importance of prompt detection and action.
They further provide guidance for individuals affected by misdiagnosis. Worryingly, online search trends analysed by the legal eagles at Higgs LLP show a surging interest in the condition.
The term “breast cancer” was Googled 1.4 million times last month, they said, with “breast cancer symptoms” gathering more than 85,000 searches, accompanied by a staggering 200% increase in queries like “Can you have breast cancer with no symptoms?”
Medical negligence authority Clare Langford of Higgs LLP warned: “When it comes to cancer or any life-threatening condition, early detection can save lives. If patients feel something is wrong, they should never hesitate to seek testing or medical attention. Symptoms should never be ignored, and it’s vital that both patients and healthcare professionals take any concerns seriously to ensure timely diagnosis and care.”
Red flag symptoms of breast cancer
Clare explained: “Breast cancer symptoms vary, but a more obvious symptom is a lump or swelling in the breast, upper chest or armpit. Change is also a red flag–change in the texture of the skin, the colour of the breast, or inversion of the nipple. Crusting or discharge around the nipple can also be a worry.”
She then addressed the issue of misdiagnosis, saying: “Breast cancer is misdiagnosed for a range of reasons, including misinterpretation of diagnostic studies, a delay in diagnostic tests, a failure or delay in consultation, or because of miscommunication. Breast cancer can also be misdiagnosed due to doctors and professionals misinterpreting cancer as a cyst or mastitis. Unfortunately, mammograms aren’t 100% accurate.”
On the topic of legal rights following a misdiagnosis, Clare said: “If you have experienced misdiagnosis, you may be eligible to claim compensation. This is particularly valid if the misdiagnosis has worsened an ongoing medical condition, delayed a correct diagnosis and treatment, or resulted in harm or fatality.
“Doctors have a duty of care and if they violate these standards, it could be considered as negligence. If you think you may be a victim of medical negligence due to misdiagnosis, consult a law firm that specialises in medical negligence and will be able to give you legal advice. You will need to provide evidence that a doctor breached their duty, caused you harm, and that this resulted in measurable losses.”
Example of misdiagnosed breast cancer
A woman who initially beat breast cancer was let down by the medical system leading to a tragic outcome. Clare explained: “We worked on a case where a patient had been diagnosed with breast cancer in the late 1980s and successfully underwent treatment. However, in 2003, a new lump was found in her breast and her GP urgently referred her to a breast clinic.”
She continued detailing the mismanagement: “Despite undergoing node removal, she continued to suffer from persistent back and neck pain, but follow-up tests, including an MRI and bone scan, reported no signs of cancer spread. Years later, in 2013, the patient returned to her GP with back pain and was diagnosed with a pre-cancerous area in her breast, leading to a mastectomy.”
Clare highlighted further negligence, stating: “However, her ongoing back and neck pain remained unresolved and a referral to a spinal surgeon was never received. Despite further complaints and tests, no action was taken to address her spinal pain.”
The story took a grave turn as Clare concluded: “In 2016, the patient collapsed, and subsequent investigations revealed that her cancer had spread to her spine and left rib, severely impacting her mobility and quality of life. Unfortunately, the patient passed away in 2023. We argued that, given her history of breast cancer, a more thorough “triple test” should have been performed during her initial recurrence in 2003. This test could have led to earlier intervention, preventing the spread of cancer in later years.
“October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a crucial time to highlight the importance of recognising early symptoms. Unfortunately, as medical negligence lawyers, we often handle cases involving delayed breast cancer diagnoses. Early detection is vital to effectively treating the disease. If you suspect something is wrong, don’t hesitate – get it checked and keep advocating for answers.”
