Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Memphis, TN
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 93% of all cervical cancers are preventable. If you were diagnosed with cervical cancer that could have been prevented, you may be wondering if you have the ability to file a lawsuit. While steps may be taken in efforts to prevent cervical cancer, when undetected or misdiagnosed, it may be in your best interest to take legal action with the help of a medical malpractice lawyer.
What is Cervical Cancer?
The cervix plays an important role within the female reproductive system. Cervical cancer originates in the cervix, and in many cases can be preventable with regular screenings. The pap smear, is one such test available to women that can detect cell abnormalities within the cervix. When abnormal cells are present, they can quickly multiply, resulting in a tumor, which could cause the cancer to spread to other areas of the body. However, abnormal cell detection doesn’t necessarily mean that cancer is present. In most cases, these cells may be precancerous, meaning they can be removed before they are able to develop into abnormal cells. It’s important to note that cervical cancer can’t be solely detected by a pap smear. If the results of your pap smear are inconclusive, your doctor will have to administer further testing, such as a colposcopy to take a closer look.
Steps to Prevent Cervical Cancer
Taking steps to diligently manage your health is important. However, health care providers also carry a significant role in the prevention of cervical cancer. In many cases, cervical cancer may be prevented when the following steps are taken:
- Talk to your doctor about getting an HPV vaccination
- Obtain a pap smear from your doctor once every 3 years
- Obtain HPV screenings from your doctor
- Practice safe sex
- Contact your doctor if you notice symptoms that are out of the ordinary
Working closely with your medical provider, and keeping regular doctor’s appointments to ensure prevention of cervical cancer are key. Your doctor is responsible for making sure you are properly screened and that the proper follow up care is administered to you. As a patient, you deserve the very best medical care, however, when a doctor has failed to properly screen and diagnose cervical cancer, it may be in your best interest to consider legal action.
Taking Legal Action with a Lawyer
If were diagnosed with cervical cancer that should have been detected early on, contacting a medical malpractice attorney may be the best way to proceed. Each state has a clear statute of limitations by which you can file a lawsuit for medical malpractice. To learn more about whether a medical malpractice lawsuit is right for you, it’s important that you speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. They will be able to help by:
- Reviewing your case and determining if you have the ability to take legal action
- Help you understand the process of a cervical cancer lawsuit
- Assign a fair value to your case, based on the damages you have experienced
- Investigate your case to ensure that all key elements are present for proving your case
Early detection of abnormalities have the ability to prevent cervical cancer altogether. Survival rates for cervical cancer rely heavily on diagnosis from a medical professional early on. If your medical practitioner misread your pap smear test, or did not take proper action, you may be able to take legal action. Contact a medical malpractice lawyer in Memphis, TN to schedule a complimentary consultation for more information about moving forward with your specific case.
Call the office of Darrell Castle & Associates, PLLC for their insight into medical malpractice and cervical cancer.