UK COLON CANCER COMPENSATION CLAIMS

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United Kingdom and failure of diagnosis is one of the most frequently occurring types of medical negligence case. Medical negligence is a broad term used to describe any treatment, lack of treatment, or other departure from accepted standards of medical care, health care, or safety on the part of a health care provider which causes harm to a patient. Medical negligence can include misdiagnosis, improper treatment, failure to treat, delay in treatment, failure to perform appropriate follow-up and prescription errors.

Misdiagnosis of colon cancer usually results from a failure to properly evaluate complaints of rectal bleeding which continues to be a major cause of deaths each year. Cancer of the colon almost always arises from a polyp which is often readily demonstrable for years and which may bleed intermittently before an invasive and ultimately incurable cancer develops.

The following may be considered to be risk factors that may increase a person's chances of developing cancer of the colon:

• Cancer of the colon is more likely to occur in people over the age of 50 however it can occur at any age.
• Diets that are high in fat and calories and low in fibre are recognised risks.
• Polyps which are benign growths on the inner wall of the colon increase a person's risk of developing cancer.
• An inherited condition called familial polyposis which causes hundreds of polyps to form in the colon will, unless treated, almost certainly to lead to cancer.
• Women with a history of cancer of the ovary, uterus, or breast have an increased chance of developing cancer of the colon.
• Parents, siblings, and children of a person who has had cancer of the colon are at increased risk of developing this type of cancer and if many family members have had suffered from it then the risk increases.
• Ulcerative colitis which is a condition in which the lining of the colon becomes inflamed increases risk.

Various tests are used to establish the diagnosis of colon cancer including:

• Blood tests are used to check for hidden blood in the stool.
• An enema with a solution that contains barium, which outlines the colon on the x-rays.
• A digital rectal examination in which the doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum.
• X-rays of the large intestine which can reveal polyps or other changes.
• A sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy which gives a view inside the rectum and the lower colon and can be used to remove polyps or other abnormal tissue for microscopic examination.
• A biopsy which is the removal of a tissue sample for microscopic examination by a pathologist.

Early diagnosis may mean less pain and suffering, less financial hardship and a greater chance of survival. If you believe that your doctor has been negligent and you would like free advice on our Legal Aid and no win no fee compensation claim service then just complete the contact form and a member of The Law Society panel of medical negligence experts will telephone you with no obligation.