Increasingly common, misdiagnosed cancer cases are causing thousands of deaths across the UK. Medical negligence can be very distressing – all medical professionals owe their patients high standards of care, and it can be difficult when these standards aren’t followed.
We understand that making a claim may not be what you think of immediately, however, you could receive compensation you’re owed. This compensation can help to cover any financial losses and other expenses incurred due to the negligence.
Although doctors are meant to diagnose all conditions, this isn’t always the case. When this applies to a serious illness such as cancer, it can have lifelong consequences or even prove to be fatal.
Here are a few unusual cancer symptoms to keep in mind:
Excessive Fatigue
Daily life can often be a whirlwind of social commitments, errands, work, and other activities that keep you busy from morning to evening. Needing constant, extra rest or finding yourself too tired to get out of bed, however, can be signs of something serious.
Although any type of cancer can cause fatigue, cancers such as thyroid cancer, lymphoma, and leukaemia are known to cause fatigue in excess. Should you feel more fatigued than you usually do and for a long period of time, it’s worth checking in with your GP to make sure it’s nothing serious.
Unexplained Pain
As we age, odd pains here and there become more common, or you might find that it takes you longer to recover from an injury. Persistent or unexplained pain should be checked at the doctor’s, especially if you’re completely healthy otherwise or you’re not recovering from a flu.
Persistent headaches don’t necessarily point to brain cancer – you could work too many hours in front of the computer, need glasses or a change of lenses, or simply suffer from eye strain, but you should always look into the cause with your doctor. Similarly, persistent chest or abdomen pain can be signs of an underlying condition.
Anaemia
Anaemia can be a common diagnosis resulting from a variety of medical conditions or illnesses. Cancer can be a contributor to anaemia, such as leukaemia, bone cancer, myeloma, lymphoma, and other bone marrow and blood cancers.
The underproduction of red blood cells can also result from bleeding in your digestive track due to colon or stomach cancer.
Sores That Don’t Heal
It’s expected that your body heals itself within a few weeks, so any sore that takes longer than three weeks to heal should be checked by a doctor. Should you have a sore in your mouth that simply refuses to heal, it could be a sign or oral cancer.
Patients who drink alcohol and smoke, in particular, should pay careful attention to any sores that refuse to heal. These should always be seen straight away, as you could have an infection or even cancer.
Numbness
Numbness tends to be a sign that certain nerves have limited functionality. It’s always advised to immediately visit your GP if your extremities, such as hands and feet, suddenly become numb. Diabetes and pinched nerves are common explanations for sudden numbness – but it can be the result of spine or brain tumours.
Should you or a loved one have suffered a cancer misdiagnosis, make sure to get in touch with our team of solicitors. We understand how distressing medical negligence is, and we always ensure that everyone has a compassionate and professional experience.
We operate on a No Win, No Fee policy, ensuring that you don’t suffer any additional financial strain should your claim be unsuccessful. Give us a call on 01772 562084 or request a callback for a free, no obligation chat with our friendly team.