Cancer Misdiagnosis on the Eastern Shore

Cancer Is a Leading Cause of Death on the Eastern Shore

                                According to the CDC, the second leading cause of death in Maryland is cancer.[1] In particular, Wicomico, Worcester, and Somerset counties have among the highest rates of melanoma, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and breast cancer in Maryland.[2] Fortunately, If diagnosed in their early stages, each of these types of cancers have a good prognosis. Unfortunately, these counties also contain increased mortality rates for lung and colon cancer compared to national rates suggesting that the cancers were not diagnosed until they were at advanced stage.[3]

Early Diagnosis is Required for Successful Treatment

                                Residents of the Eastern shore far too often do not have access to top notch health care providers locally.[4] It is incumbent upon local primary care physicians, family doctors, cardiologists, and radiologists to diagnose cancers in their early treatable stages before the cancer becomes metastatic. If the cancer spreads due to a delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis, a tragic, preventable death almost always follows. As little as a six-month delay of diagnosis can turn an otherwise curable cancer into a fatal disease.

Delayed Diagnosis or Misdiagnosis is Medical Malpractice

                                Maryland law gives cancer patients the right to sue their healthcare providers for medical malpractice for the pain and economic damages they have suffered as a result of negligent delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis of cancer. If and when that patient passes away from advanced stage cancer, his or her spouse, children, and parents can bring a wrongful death claim against the negligent health care provider per Maryland’s Wrongful Death Act, codified at Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 3-904.

                                If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with advanced stage cancer after your symptoms were written off by health care providers months to years earlier, please contact Gershon Willoughby & Getz today to discuss pursuing a medical malpractice action to get the justice you deserve.

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Health Statistics. Maryland. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/states/maryland/md.htm

[2] DeRidder A, Kalluri S, Holdai V. A Retrospective Chart Review Evaluating the Relationship between Cancer Diagnosis and Residential Water Source on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, USA. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Dec 28;18(1):145. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18010145. PMID: 33379199; PMCID: PMC7796121.

[3] Id.

[4] Maryland Physician Workforce Study Executive Summary (2007), available at https://www.medchi.org/Portals/18/files/Law%20&%20Advocacy/Initiatives%20Page/Workforce%20Study%20Executive%20Summary.pdf?ver=2009-09-02-040000-000