Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States and yet it is totally preventable. A colon cancer diagnosis can be shocking and terrifying. If your diagnosis could have been prevented, it is crucial to contact a colon cancer misdiagnosis lawyer right away. Our experienced cancer diagnosis attorneys in can assist in guiding you through the legal process and ensure that your rights are protected.
Colon Cancer Can Be Deadly
When cancerous tumor forms in the lining of the colon, it often does not cause any symptoms. The tumor may be silent producing no symptoms until it enlarges or spreads to the point of being life-threatening. Because colon cancer often does not cause symptoms until it has become life-threatening, many cases are not diagnosed until the colon cancer has spread beyond the wall of the colon (large bowel) and into the lymphatic system. When the tumor spreads beyond the wall of the colon it is often too late for you. The five-year survival rate for persons with late-stage colon cancer (when the tumor has spread beyond the wall of the colon) is less than fifty percent.
Preventing Colon Cancer
Colonoscopies are extremely useful in preventing colon cancer. From the age of 50, you should have a colonoscopy once every three years. A colonoscopy is a simple procedure to check for pre-cancerous polyps in your colon and during the procedure, polyps can be removed by the gastroenterologist. It’s really no big deal and it will save your life.
How Can I Check for Colon Cancer?
Colon cancer is extremely slow growing and it takes years for a tumor to enlarge and spread beyond the wall of the colon. If you get a colonoscopy once every three years, you will be able to detect the tumor in time before it spreads.
Colon cancer is a silent killer and if you choose to wait for the symptoms, it is more than likely too late for a cure. The most common symptom of colon cancer is rectal bleeding, but do yourself a favor and don’t wait for this symptom to show up.
Does Family History Raise the Risk?
If you have a history of colon cancer in your family, especially if an immediate family had this cancer, you should begin the colonoscopies at age 40. If you want to be especially thorough, there are genetic tests that can be done to determine if you have genetic risks for colon cancer.
Be vigilant about your health! Insist upon colonoscopies at least once every three years. If you are not proactive about your health, no one will be (including your primary care physician).
Contact a Colon Cancer Misdiagnosis Attorney for Help
If you have questions about colon cancer, contacting a doctor is important. However, if you have been misdiagnosed or mistreated, contacting a colon cancer misdiagnosis lawyer should be done as soon as possible.