Could My Wife’s Colorectal Cancer Have Been Detected Earlier?

By Dr. Gerald B. Parker, III, M.D., J.D.

You have probably spent a great deal of time dwelling on how and when your wife’s cancer was first diagnosed. It’s important for you to know that there are a couple of ways that your wife’s colorectal cancer might have been detected earlier, and colorectal cancer is more treatable if found early through screening tests. If polyps or adenomas are detected through these tests, the development of cancer can even be prevented, since polyps can be removed before they have a chance to develop into cancer.

How Do Doctors Detect Colorectal Cancer?

The recommended screening test for cancer of the colon or rectum is a colonoscopy, which offers a view of the complete colon and rectum as seen through a flexible, long tube containing a camera. One great advantage of a colonoscopy is that if polyps or adenomas are seen on the camera, the tube allows doctors to perform a biopsy or polypectomy during the procedure if necessary.

However, one disadvantage of a colonoscopy is that despite the procedure being the most sensitive test currently available, nonpolypoid lesions or small polyps may not be detected. And unfortunately, even a patient who keeps up with regular colonoscopy screenings as recommended by a medical professional could fall victim to a doctor or pathologist who makes a mistake when reading the results of that or other screenings for colorectal cancer.

You may feel angry, helpless, and resentful that medical professionals you entrusted with your wife’s care could have made such mistakes. You sought out or were recommended to these professionals for their expertise, and to realize an error of this magnitude may have been made is devastating.

What if Your Wife’s Colorectal Cancer Could Have Been Detected Earlier?

If you suspect your wife’s colorectal cancer could have been detected earlier but can’t get the answers you’re seeking from your doctor, then you may be experiencing a great deal of stress and frustration in deciding your next steps. Contact our law firm, and allow our highly experienced attorneys to assist you.

We realize you already have tremendous responsibilities as your wife’s caregiver, supporting her physical and emotional needs, keeping doctors’ appointments, managing bills, and dealing with insurance companies. Determining whether or not a medical professional could have detected colorectal cancer earlier is not a burden you need to add to your load.

Let us take that weight off your shoulders. We are experienced in this area and will review all previous medical tests to determine if any error was made. We will help you find peace of mind. Contact us today.