Ovarian cancer is one of the most common types of cancer diagnosed in women in the UK, but it can be difficult to catch in its early stages. If medical negligence has further delayed diagnosis, or caused your cancer to be misdiagnosed, speak to a member of our industry-leading team today.
Can I make a claim for a delay in diagnosing or treating ovarian cancer, or for ovarian cancer misdiagnosis?
Ovarian cancer is one of the most common cancers in women in the UK, with nearly 7,500 new cases reported each year. Unfortunately, it can be quite difficult to treat, as symptoms of ovarian cancer are not often picked up in the early stages.
This makes it vital that doctors and medical practitioners are able to identify and respond to the symptoms of ovarian cancer as quickly as possible, to ensure the best possible prognosis. Where mistakes are made – including misdiagnosis or a delay in diagnosis – the impact can be severe. Such delays can allow cancer to spread and worsen, entirely unchecked, which increases the risk of a negative prognosis. At its worst, late-stage ovarian cancer can prove fatal.
Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be an incredibly emotional and traumatic time for you and your family, and no one should than have the deal with the knowledge that medical negligence has played a part in your pain and suffering. Claiming compensation can’t change your diagnosis, but it can provide support throughout your recovery. At Slater and Gordon, our medical negligence team are experts in handling misdiagnosed ovarian cancer claims and are on hand to provide advice and guidance when you need it most.
What is ovarian cancer?
Ovarian cancer affects the ovaries in a women’s reproductive organs. While it most commonly affects women over the age of 50, it can affect anyone who has ovaries regardless of their age. It can even affect those who have had their ovaries removed, as it can also be found in the fallopian tubes or lining of your stomach.
The causes of ovarian cancer vary. It can be more likely if you have conditions such as endometriosis or diabetes, if you started your periods early or went through menopause late, or if you’ve never had a baby or been on hormonal contraception (these lower the number of eggs you have received over your lifetime). Things like obesity and smoking can also increase your risk of developing ovarian cancer.
However, it can also be caused by inheriting a faulty gene (such as BRCA genes or those linked to Lynch syndrome) and can be more likely if you have previously had breast or bowel cancer or been treated with radiotherapy.
What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer and how should it be treated?
It can be difficult to spot the symptoms of ovarian cancer in the early stages, and many may well be things women experience due to other conditions or as part of their monthly cycle. As a result, it is important to understand what is normal for you and, if you have any concerns, speak to your doctor as soon as possible.
Some of the symptoms of ovarian cancer include:
Pain or tenderness in your stomach or between your hips
Little or no appetite
Urinating more frequently, or an urgent need to urinate suddenly
Swelling in your stomach or bloating
Frequent indigestion
Constipation or diarrhoea
Back pain
Exhaustion (constantly feeling tired)
An unexpected or unintended loss of weight
Vaginal bleeding after the menopause
Your doctor may wish to conduct an internal examination to check for lumps or sore areas. If they have any concerns, they may also wish to conduct further testing to determine the cause of your symptoms. A blood test and a scan are often the first tests, though others will usually be required to determine whether it is ovarian cancer. These can include:
An ultrasound
A transvaginal scan (inserting a scanning device into the vagina)
An abdominal scan (external)
A CT scan
A needle biopsy (removing a sample of cells or fluid from the ovaries)
A laparoscopy (making a small incision in the stomach and inserting a small camera)
A laparotomy (the removal of tissue or the ovaries)
What constitutes a delay in diagnosis or ovarian cancer misdiagnosis?
In the main, most people who undergo tests and treatment for ovarian cancer receive the highest standard of care. Unfortunately, however, mistakes do happen, and any delay in diagnosis or misdiagnosis due to medical negligence can have serious consequences.
Examples of mistakes that can lead to misdiagnosed ovarian cancer include:
Failing to recognise the symptoms when the patient first reports them
Failing to follow up symptoms with the correct tests
Incorrectly interpreting the result of a test, missing a chance to begin treatment right away
Failing to properly examine the patient, or refer them to a specialist
Misdiagnosing the patient’s symptoms as another condition (sometimes repeatedly)
I just wanted to say thank you so much for everything Slater and Gordon have done to fight this case for us. I appreciate it has involved a lot of people. Please can you also thank the expert witnesses who have provided their expertise and help.
Mr and Mrs H (medical negligence client)
I cannot recommend Slater and Gordon enough, throughout the entire period of the case, all the staff have been both very professional, and supportive.
Mr Q (medical negligence client)
Kept informed regularly as to how my claim was going, prompt replies to any questions I had, excellent customer service at all times. Excellent service from all staff that have been involved in my claim.
Ms S (medical negligence client)
Making a claim for a delay in diagnosis or misdiagnosed ovarian cancer
Receiving a diagnosis of ovarian cancer is often a very traumatic time for you and your loved ones. You shouldn’t then have to deal with the knowledge that chances to catch and treat your cancer sooner were missed due to the negligence of the very medical professionals you trusted you’re your care. We understand that in such circumstances, making a claim for compensation can be the last thing on your mind, and thinking about going through the legal process can be daunting.
Our expert medical negligence solicitors are here to ensure your claim is as stress-free and efficient as possible. We’ll start by sitting down to discuss with you the full details of your case, and let you know immediately if we think you have a claim.
If so, the next step will be to explain the process clearly. We can provide support in collecting all the necessary evidence and information to submit your claim and work tirelessly to ensure the best possible outcomes for our clients, allowing you to focus on your treatment and recovery.
When you are ready to start your testicular cancer misdiagnosis claim, speak to a member of our team on 0330 041 5869 or contact us online and we’ll get in touch at a time that suits you.
Why should I choose Slater and Gordon?
Our misdiagnosed cancer team are one of the best in the country and are highly ranked in independent legal guides such as Chambers and Partners and Legal 500.
The team are highly experienced in dealing with misdiagnosed ovarian cancer claims can provide you with the best possible service, not only ensuring that you get the best outcome to your case, but that you get the treatment and additional support you need to assist with your recovery. We’re committed to providing the best support from day one, which is way we also offer home and hospital visits to allow us to provide immediate representation and rehabilitation support; allowing you to focus on recovery while we handle your claim.
How long do I have to start an ovarian cancer claim?
As a general rule, you have three years from the date you first became aware that the treatment you received was negligent to make a claim. However, there are exceptions to this rule, so it is strongly advised that you speak to a specialist medical negligence solicitor as soon as possible, as they will be able to advise you of any relevant deadlines in your case.
How much compensation could I receive for an ovarian cancer claim?
It can be difficult to determine how much your claim could be worth without first discussing the details of your case. Generally speaking, the amount of compensation will be dependent upon how significant the delays in your treatment were, the level of impact any incorrect treatment has had, or how severely your prognosis has been altered by the negligent treatment you received.
To discuss your personal circumstances in more detail, you can reach out to a member of our team for a confidential, no-obligation conversation today either online or by calling 0330 041 5869.
Can I make a no win no fee ovarian cancer claim?
Yes. The vast majority of our medical negligence cases are funded by way of a conditional agreement, also known as No Win No Fee. It means that there is no cost to you to pursue the claim and, in the event that you lose the case, there are no fees for you to pay, so there is never any financial risk.
If you or a family member have been seriously impacted by medical negligence, and you feel that you're not getting the specialist legal advice you need from your current solicitor, we'll be happy to discuss switching your case to Slater and Gordon. Simply call our experts on 0330 041 5869 or contact us online.
I just wanted to say thank you so much for everything Slater and Gordon have done to fight this case for us. I appreciate it has involved a lot of people. Please can you also thank the expert witnesses who have provided their expertise and help. Mr and Mrs H (medical negligence client)
I cannot recommend Slater and Gordon enough, throughout the entire period of the case, all the staff have been both very professional, and supportive. Mr Q (medical negligence client)
Kept informed regularly as to how my claim was going, prompt replies to any questions I had, excellent customer service at all times. Excellent service from all staff that have been involved in my claim. Ms S (medical negligence client)