While cancer can be a devastating diagnosis, recent advances in medicine have significantly improved the chances for a full recovery. However, a cancer patient’s outcome often depends on an early, accurate diagnosis, and prompt, appropriate treatment.

A delay in diagnosis can make a significant difference to the result in many types of cancer, including skin cancer, colorectal cancer, ovarian/uterine cancer and breast cancer. When there is a delay in diagnosis, the chances of survival may be seriously diminished. Treatment is often more aggressive and may include surgery or more extensive surgery than would have been necessary had the cancer been caught earlier.

Obtaining compensation in cases where there has been a delay in diagnosis or error in treatment can be challenging. Not every delay makes a difference. Sometimes, the patient’s treatment and prognosis does not change even when the cancer is caught early.