For many, the month of October symbolises the transition between the seasons, nights are drawing in and temperatures are dropping. It is important to remember that October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer and it is estimated that 5,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in this month alone.

Like many people, my family has been affected by a diagnosis of cancer. Receiving the diagnosis is a frightening time for all of those involved and in some cases will often raise more questions than answers: What has caused this? Could this have been spotted earlier? What care and treatment will I need? What will happen to my family if I don’t make it?

The treatment required and prognosis often depends on the staging of the cancer. Different forms of treatment have different success rates but what is clear is that early diagnosis is crucial. The statistics suggest that when breast cancer is diagnosed at its earliest stage, nearly all women will survive the disease for five years or more, compared with 3 in 20 women when the disease is diagnosed at a later stage.

It is imperative that the early signs and symptoms are known and that is why campaigns like Breast Cancer Awareness Month are so important in ensuring that the public are equipped with the knowledge of what to look out for and when to seek medical advice. Sadly, in some cases diagnosis comes later than it should. It may be that the appropriate tests have not been ordered by your GP, test results have not been interpreted correctly or an administrative error means that you are not referred for specialist assessment quickly enough.

A delay in diagnosis can have a number of effects; sometimes more invasive treatment is needed which may mean that you need greater care from family and friends or that you have to take a long time off work. In some cases there can be long-term effects from the treatment affecting your ability to return to work or partake in activities you once enjoyed. Life expectancy can also be reduced making it a more emotional and distressing time for you and your family.

Claims concerning delayed diagnosis of cancer can be difficult to investigate. Firstly, you must prove that the care that you received has been substandard. Secondly, you have to show that this has made a difference to your condition. A delay doesn’t always mean that your condition would have been different as the cancer may not have spread during that time and the outcome may have been the same.

Here at Jackson Lees we have extensive experience of dealing with claims where there has been a delay in diagnosis. We can help investigate your claim and in doing so we will ensure that your case is handled sensitively, taking on board all of your concerns. We will help you get all of the answers you need and the financial help you require through compensation, if your case is successful.

For a free consultation with one of our legal team call us on 0800 387 927 or message us your enquiry.