Cancer is a disease that strikes fear into its victims and their loved ones. Every year in the United States thousands die from various types of cancer. It does not have to be that way. For many types of cancer, including, among others, breast, cervical, colon, prostate, skin, uterine, and in some instances, lung cancer, depending on whether the lung cancer is large or non small cell, early diagnosis could result in a complete cure, or a much improved outcome. 

   According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC"), and the National Cancer Institute ("NCI"), the leading causes of cancer deaths among men include lung, prostate, colorectal, and liver cancers. Among women, the leading causes of cancer deaths include lung, breast, and colorectal cancers. In children the leading causes of cancer deaths include leukemia, and brain and central nervous system cancers. 

   Sadly, many of the cancer deaths that occur each year could be prevented through early diagnosis and treatment. In addition, some of the pains and sufferings that cancer patients live with could be dramatically reduced through early diagnosis and treatment. However, essential for early and timely treatment is cancer screening. For breast cancer the gold standard for screening remains mammography, which is recommended beginning usually at the age of 40 for some women, and for others, at 45. Women with family histories of breast cancer may begin mammography screening earlier than age of 40. For colon cancer, the main screening tools include colonoscopy, barium enema, and fecal occult blood test. Lung cancer screening tools include chest-rays, and CT. Scans, while prostate cancer screening measures include a digital rectal examination, and prostate specific antigen test ("PSA"). Pap smear is the usual screening for cervical cancer. 

   Screening is so crucial to the timely diagnosis and treatment of cancers that a physician who fails to recommend and/or refer his or her patient for screening tests within the time periods specified by the standard of care for each cancer may be held liable for medical malpractice if the failure to refer and/or recommend screening results in a delay in diagnosis of the cancer. Accordingly, if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer, or if someone you know died of cancer, call Emmanuel Law Firm, LLC at (215) 854-4055 for a free consultation. Alternatively, you may send an e-mail to Emmanuel Law Firm, LLC at lawyer@emmanuellaw.com with a brief statement including at the least, your name, contact information, and the month and year of diagnosis and/or death.

DISCLAIMER: the information provided on this website is neither medical advice, nor is it intended to replace the advice of a medical professional.