Late Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer Compensation Claims
Colorectal Cancer is a type of Bowel Cancer, due to the colon being placed within the large bowel; both vital parts of the digestion system. The Colon is the large intestine, food moves along the Colon via contractions to push the food along the intestine. The Colon then absorbs the remaining nutrients and vitamins into the body.
Due to the similarity between Colon and Bowel Cancer, the statistics have been merged and classed as Bowel Cancer.
Colorectal Cancer is very common in the UK, being the 4th most common cancer diagnosed according to Cancer Research UK. Colorectal Cancer mainly affects older people, with incident rates being highest in people aged between 85 and 89. Furthermore, 44% if all new Colorectal Cancer cases in the UK are diagnosed in people aged 75 and above.
Since the 1990’s, incidence rates in the UK for Colorectal Cancer has remained fairly stable, especially in females compared to males where the incidence rates have fallen by 3%. This is fairly surprising when comparing to Breast Cancer whereby incidence rates have drastically fallen in the past 30 years.
Suggesting a lack of research is being done into the disease; potentially due to mass medical negligence via delayed diagnosis. If you believe you have suffered due to a delayed Colorectal Cancer diagnosis or even a misdiagnosis, you may be entitled to make a claim. Follow the link below to find out more.
In terms of mortality, there are currently around 16,600 deaths due to Colorectal Cancer in the UK per annum and is the 2nd most deadly cancer in the UK, accounting for 10% of all annual cancer deaths.
Colorectal Cancer is most prevalent in the elderly; this is shown in statistics provided by Cancer Research UK which indicates that mortality rates are highest in people aged over 80. In addition to this, almost 6/10 (58%) of all current annual Colorectal Cancer deaths in the UK are in people aged 75 and over.
Late diagnosis is a current crisis in the UK; statistics show that when diagnosed at the earliest stage, 98% of people with Colorectal Cancer survived the disease for at least one year, and 92% for over five. In comparison, when diagnosed at the latest stage; only 44% of people survived for over a year and only 10% for over five.
The English is currently below the European average for Colorectal Cancer survival. This may be due to repetitive instances of clinical negligence and late diagnosis’. If you have been diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer late, get in touch.
See: Bowel cancer statistics | Cancer Research UK
Also See: Contact Us | Hutcheon Law
Spot the Signs:
The symptoms of Colorectal Cancer are very similar to those of Bowel Cancer, meaning the symptoms for Colorectal Cancer may be ignored at first as well; a mistake which may be proven fatal.
It is important to understand the symptoms in order to catch the disease before it grows / metastasizes to other parts of the bowel / body. The main symptoms are:
- Persistent change to your bowel habits, including diarrhoea / constipation, or a change in the consistency of your stool.
- Rectal bleeding / blood in your stool.
- Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as gas / cramps / pain.
- The feeling that your bowel does not empty completely.
- Weakness / Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
These are a few symptoms; follow the link below to get a more in depth understanding of the initial symptoms. If you have or are currently experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, please speak to a medical professional immediately.
See: Colon cancer – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
The Stages of Colorectal Cancer
The stages of Colorectal Cancer get progressively worse, which is why it is vital to understand them in order to combat the symptoms early to get an early diagnosis.
Early diagnosis’ can be the difference between life and death, so medical professionals must be vigilant when it comes to delayed diagnosis; a type of clinical negligence.
The four main stages are:
Stage 1: The cancer has not spread outside the Colorectal / Bowel wall
Stage 2: The cancer has grown into or through the outer layer of the Colorectal / Bowel wall
Stage 3: The cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Stage 4: The cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Follow the link below to understand to stages of Colorectal Cancer in greater detail.
See: Colon cancer – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
How Can I Make A Claim?
If you received a misdiagnosis or delayed cancer diagnosis, you should be able to claim for medical negligence. For more information on who can claim see our specialist website: dependency claims, who can claim.
When a loved one has died due to misdiagnosis of cancer, it’s possible to recover compensation on their behalf. You may be able to claim if you are the spouse or child of the deceased, or if you’re the parent of a child. Often there is a three-year time limit after the date of the death to make a claim so you must provide your solicitor with instructions quickly. The three year period may be extended. However, the sooner a claim is made the better.
In any case, a delay to cancer treatment often means the disease could spread further, reducing the chance of survival. If you can prove your delayed cancer diagnosis was caused by medical negligence, then you may have a claim.
If you think you are eligible for a Clinical Negligence Claim. Call On: 0151 724 7121. Or, get in contact via our
Website: Contact Us | Hutcheon Law
Also Read: – The 5 Most Common Misdiagnosed Cancer Claims – Hutcheon Law
– Prostate Cancer Compensation
– Breast Cancer Compensation
– Bowel Cancer Compensation
– Pancreatic Cancer Compensation
– Stomach Cancer Compensation
– Colorectal Cancer Compensation
– Leukaemia Compensation
