This week is cervical cancer prevention week, run by Jo’s Trust. The aim of the week is to encourage women to attend their smear tests. This may also help reduce cervical cancer screening negligence.

The charity Jo’s Trust states that one in three women and people with a cervix don’t attend cervical screening and we want to change that. However cervical cancer prevention doesn’t stop at screening. 220,000 women and people with a cervix every year are told they have cervical cell changes after their screening, and many more are given a HPV diagnosis. This can mean more tests and treatments, and for some it can be incredibly hard time. This is why they aim to raise awareness of cervical cancer screenings.

cervical cancer screening negligence

Cervical Cancer Screening Negligence

One of the main areas of negligence that happens with cervical cancer is delays in diagnosis. This can happen due to the cancer showing no symptoms, but if it is due to human error, then you may be able to make a claim.

One of the main symptoms that the cancer does show is abnormal vaginal bleeding. This can happen after sex, in between periods, or post-menopausal bleeding. If you have this symptom and a Doctor does not refer you for further tests, then you may be able to make a claim. if you have symptoms, you should be referred to a specialist within 2 weeks.

Delays in Diagnosis and Misdiagnosis

The main way to look for cervical cancer is through a smear test. If smear tests come back with abnormal cells, then the next step is a colposcopy, then further testing. This is where delays in diagnosis could happen. It could be that a doctor reads the results incorrectly, or the results coming back are delayed. If there is a delay in diagnosis due to human error, such as a Doctor not seeing the red flags, then you may be able to make a claim.

You may also be able to make a claim if you were misdiagnosed. This is especially true if the misdiagnosis caused the cancer to spread or get worse. It is also true if the misdiagnosis has affected your prognosis.

Delays in Treatment

Another delay that may happen that you may be able to claim for is a delay in treatment. This could happen due to appointments being cancelled, being referred for the wrong treatment, or not being referred at all. These things can have devastating effects; it may affect your prognosis or it may cause the cancer to spread or develop. If this happens due to human error, then you may be able to make a claim.

How We Can Help with Cervical Cancer Screening Negligence

Here at The Medical Negligence Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with medical negligence claims. This includes cervical cancer screening negligence claims. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138761 to speak to one of our friendly experts.