Delayed Bowel Cancer Diagnosis

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Late Diagnosis of Bowel Cancer Compensation Claims

We are often asked ‘How can I claim compensation for late diagnosis of Bowel Cancer?’ If you feel you have been misdiagnosed you should instruct us as specialist compensation solicitors to obtain expert medical and legal help for you and your family. It is important to note that Compared to other cancers’, the symptoms of Bowel Cancer (also known as colon cancer or rectal cancer) are not initially concerning and would not usually provoke a reaction to get tested, which is why if you have experienced or are experiencing any of the below symptoms to get tested immediately.

These symptoms can also be easily missed and waved off by medical professionals, which could lead to delayed screenings for Bowel Cancer and late diagnosis. If that is the case contact the expert solicitors who can help you claim for the unnecessary pain and suffering if the bowel cancer has not been detected in time and or your quality of life has been affected by the delays. If you have experienced a late Bowel Cancer diagnosis by a medical professional, you may be entitled to compensation; talk to us following the link below.

Spot the Symptoms

Bowel Cancer is different due to being harder to spot the initial symptoms of the cancer, these symptoms include:

A change in your normal bowel motion
Pain/ Discomfort in abdomen
Bleeding in stool
Unexplained weight loss

The rate of survival with Bowel Cancer is hugely dependent on the stage in which it was diagnosed in; this is why if you are suffering with any symptoms, you must get in contact with a medical professional immediately. Not only this, medical professionals must not fail to diagnose Bowel Cancer; this can be fatal for patients.

Failure to diagnose Bowel Cancer is allowing the cancer to grow and metastasize to other parts of the body, allowing the cancer to progress to a later stage. If you believe you have had medical negligence in the form of medical professionals failing to diagnose your cancer, talk to us.

See: Bowel cancer – Diagnosis – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Also See: Contact Us | Hutcheon Law

Using statistics gathered by Cancer Research UK, there are a staggering 43,300 new Bowel Cancer cases in the UK every year, that’s 110 new reported cases every day, meaning every 1 in 20 people will develop Bowel Cancer in their lifetime. The survival rate of Bowel Cancer is hugely dependent on what stage the cancer is diagnosed in; this is why medical professionals cannot allow medical negligence to occur.

The difference between being diagnosed with bowel Cancer at an early stage compared to at a later stage is staggering. For example; using Cancer Research UK statistics, when diagnosed at its earliest stage, 92% of people with Bowel Cancer will survive their disease for five years or more. In comparison, only 10% of people survive for more than five years with Bowel Cancer once diagnosed at the latest stage (4).

The majority of Bowel Cancer cases are avoidable (54%), meaning a lot of the cases are due to avoidable lifestyle choices. For example, 28% of Bowel Cancer cases are caused by eating too little fibre.

In addition to this, alcohol abuse is a contributor to Bowel Cancer; increasing chances by 8% according to Cancer Research UK, lifestyle choices make a huge difference in terms of prevention of Bowel Cancer. However, medical professionals must diagnose before the cancer has time to grow and progress into a higher stage. If not, and the patients has suffered due to this negligence. The patient is entitled to make a claim, follow the link below to find out how you can make a claim.

See: Bowel cancer statistics | Cancer Research UK

Regarding the mortality rates of Bowel Cancer, there are approximately 16,600 deaths per annum on average, that’s 45 every day, which is why it is the second most common cause of Cancer death in the UK; accounting for 10% of all cancer deaths in the UK.

Bowel Cancer deaths are most prevalent in deprived areas, which could lead to a comparison to socioeconomic depravation in relation to Bowel Cancer. Furthermore, this type of cancer is most common in in people aged over 75 (58%) according to Cancer Research UK.

With Bowel Cancer being the third most common cause of cancer death in both men and women, it is a shock to learn that according to Cancer Research UK statistics, incidence rates have only fallen by 2% in females and 9% in males. This suggests that there is mass medical negligence still in the diagnosis of Bowel Cancer which is leading to suffering. Follow the link below to learn about whether you have suffered medical negligence and whether you are eligible to make a claim.

Also See: Bowel cancer statistics | Cancer Research UK

Stages of Bowel Cancer

There are four main stages to Bowel Cancer, each getting increasingly worse; hence the importance of being diagnosed as early as possible. The four stages are:

Stage 1- The cancer has not spread outside the bowel wall

Stage 2 – the cancer has grown into or through the outer layer of the bowel wall

Stage 3- The cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes

Stage 4- The cancer has metastasized/ spread to other parts of the body.

For more information regarding the stages of Bowel Cancer; See: Staging & grading | Diagnosis | About bowel cancer | Bowel Cancer UK

For further reading see also NHS Bowel Cancer.

Causes of Bowel Cancer

According to the NHS website the exact cause of bowel cancer is not known, but the following seem to be high risk factors in developing bowl cancer. These matters amongst others will be considered by your General Practitioner and treating Hospital Consultant:

Weight –in overweight or obese people.
• Alcohol – too much to drink.
• Exercise – little or no exercise.
• Smoking– smoking is a high risk factor.
• Age – most people are over 60 years.
• Diet – a bad diet, usually of highly processed foods, little fruit and vegetables.
• Family history – having a close relative (mother or father, brother or sister) who developed bowel cancer.

There are other risk factors but if any one or more of the above apply to you and there has been a delay in diagnosing bowl cancer, you may be able to claim compensation.

How Can I Make a Claim for bowl cancer?

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

– Pancreatic Cancer Compensation

– Stomach Cancer Compensation

– Colorectal Cancer Compensation

– Leukaemia Compensation

Frequestly Asked Questions

A delayed bowel cancer diagnosis occurs when symptoms of bowel cancer are not identified or acted upon promptly by medical professionals. This can lead to the cancer progressing to a more advanced stage, making treatment more challenging and potentially reducing survival chances.

Delays can happen due to:

Misdiagnosing symptoms as less serious conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or haemorrhoids.
Failing to conduct or refer for diagnostic tests, such as colonoscopies or blood tests.
Ignoring warning signs reported by the patient.
Administrative issues, such as delays in referrals or lost results.

A delayed diagnosis can lead to:

Cancer spreading to other organs (metastasis).
More aggressive treatments, such as extensive surgery or chemotherapy.
Limited treatment options and reduced likelihood of remission.
Greater physical and emotional strain on the patient.

Symptoms often missed or misdiagnosed include:

Persistent changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhoea or constipation.
Blood in stools or rectal bleeding.
Abdominal pain or cramping.
Unexplained weight loss or fatigue.
A feeling of incomplete evacuation after bowel movements.

Yes, if medical negligence caused the delay and led to harm such as a worsened prognosis or more invasive treatments, you may be eligible to claim compensation.

To establish negligence, you need to demonstrate:

That the medical professional breached their duty of care by failing to act on symptoms or test results.
That this failure caused harm, such as progression of the disease or unnecessary suffering.

Key evidence includes:

Medical records showing missed symptoms, delayed tests, or misinterpretation of results.
Expert medical opinions to support your case.
Details of the impact on your health, quality of life, and prognosis.
Financial records for any associated costs, such as medical expenses or loss of earnings.

Compensation depends on:

The severity of harm caused by the delay.
The impact on your prognosis and treatment options.
Financial losses, such as income lost due to illness or additional medical costs.
Pain, suffering, and emotional distress caused by the delay.

In most cases, you must make a claim within three years of the date you became aware of the delayed diagnosis or its impact. There are exceptions for children or individuals who lack mental capacity.

If you suspect a delay in your diagnosis:

Seek a second opinion to confirm the stage of your cancer and any progression caused by delays.
Request copies of your medical records.
Contact a solicitor specialising in medical negligence like ourselves to discuss your options.

Yes, claims can be made against NHS or private healthcare providers. Both are required to provide a reasonable standard of care, and negligence in either setting can form the basis of a claim.

Medical experts assess your case to determine whether the delay breached the standard of care and how it affected your health. Their opinions are crucial for building a strong claim.

Yes, even if your prognosis was not significantly affected, you may still claim compensation for unnecessary suffering, emotional distress, or more invasive treatment caused by the delay.

The duration depends on the complexity of the case and whether the healthcare provider admits responsibility. Straightforward claims may resolve within 12-18 months, while contested cases can take several years.

Yes, if a loved one has passed away due to a delayed bowel cancer diagnosis, their dependents or estate can pursue a claim. Compensation may cover loss of financial support, funeral expenses, and emotional distress.

We offer No Win, No Fee agreements, meaning you only pay legal fees if your claim is successful. This allows you to pursue compensation without financial risk.

You may claim compensation for:

Medical expenses: Costs for treatment, counselling, or therapy.
Loss of earnings: Income lost due to illness or treatment.
Pain and suffering: Physical and emotional harm caused by the delay.
Future care costs: If ongoing treatment or assistance is required.

To begin:

Consult us: Speak to a medical negligence like ourselves for expert advice.
Gather evidence: Collect medical records and any documentation showing the impact of the delay.
File the claim: We will handle the legal process and work to secure the compensation you deserve.