Below we examine two lawsuits that give us some an understanding of the value of testing males for prostate cancer. Although there has been some controversy of late about the value of screening male patients for prostate cancer (specifically regarding the PSA screening test) some points continue to be undisputable. To begin with, prostate cancer causes the PSA to rise. Second, men of African-American descent have a larger chance of having prostate cancer before it spreads. Third, if prostate cancer is found early, there is a very high cure rate. Fourth, when it is not identified until after it has already spread, there is currently no known cure. Fifth, normally medical doctors recognize that at the very least a physician should have a discussion with a male patient of a specific age pertaining to screening for prostate cancer and that conversation and any testing should occur at an earlier age for men of African-American descent. In the first medical malpractice case, a man of African-American heritage had been treating with his primary care physician for various issues, including prostate related issues. But, the physician never properly do screening in the years the individual was asymptomatic or diagnostic testing to rule out the possibility of prostate cancer during the times the patient had prostate related concerns. When the man was 57, he read an article explaining the advantages of cancer testing and requested the screening. At the time he was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. The law firm that represented the plaintiff published that the matter was settled for the amount of $750,000. In a second reported lawsuit the patient was an African-American man, age 41, who asked to be tested for prostate cancer following participating in a campaign to increase awareness concerning the risk middle-aged African-American men face with respect to prostate cancer. The doctor performed a digital examination and uncovered no abnormalities. The physician ordered blood tests for the patient but did not include a request for a PSA test The patient thought a PSA test was ordered and just believed that there were no abnormal results given that he did not hear anything more about it. The patient was seen again by the same physician two years afterward. This time the doctor did not do a physical examination of the prostate and again failed to order a PSA test. Later that year the patient saw a different physician in the same practice. This time the doctor not only performed a digital examination but additionally ordered a PSA test. The patient was diagnosed with prostate cancer with bone metastasis. The law firm that handled this matter reported achieving a settlement in the case as it was pending an appeal of a $2.75 Million jury verdict. A key point from these matters is that, irrespective of any doubt concerning the benefits of testing men for prostate cancer, failing to do so might lead to the spread of the cancer and eventually, the patient's death - a death that may have be prevented. If you or a member of your family did not have the cancer found until the cancer of the prostate had metastasized because the doctor never notified the man concerning screening procedures or otherwise let to a holdup in the diagnosis or treatment of the cancer, you ought to consult with an attorney right away.
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This article discusses 2 medical malpractice cases involving the delayed diagnosis of cancer of the prostate in men of African-American descent. An important issue from these matters is that, not at least informing a man about prostate cancer screening or not revealing to the patient that the tests he asked for were not completed might let enough time pass that there will be a spread of the disease and eventually, the death of the man : a death that might have be prevented.
Mr. Hernandez is an attorney accepting delayed diagnosis of cancer cases. For a free attorney consultation regarding prostate cancer and other cancer matters including stage 4 colon cancer visit the websites
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