The Teenage Cancer Trust, a charity dedicated to improving the quality of life and chances of survival for young people with cancer, has recently highlighted a common and serious problem relating to the delay in diagnosing cancer in young people aged 13 – 24 by health professionals. 

The Teenage Cancer Trust, a charity dedicated to improving the quality of life and chances of survival for young people with cancer, has recently highlighted a common and serious problem relating to the delay in diagnosing cancer in young people aged 13 – 24 by health professionals. 

The charity conducted research looking at the experiences of young people when they first experienced symptoms of cancer.  The statistics from the study, alarmingly, suggest that two thirds of young people with cancer visited their GP with at least one of the most common cancer symptoms yet in a third of those patients, the GP took no action to investigate those symptoms. 

Perhaps even more worrying is the statistic from the research that suggests a quarter visited their GP four times or more before their symptoms were taken seriously and they were referred to see a specialist. 

Many of the young people who participated in the survey said that they wanted education in schools about the signs and symptoms of cancer.  Personal awareness and education is obviously very important and teaching about cancer in schools is an excellent idea.  However, the bigger problem appears to be that health professionals are missing classic signs and symptoms of cancer in young people, failing to make the correct diagnosis and refer for specialist treatment promptly.

As a medical negligence solicitor, I commonly see the grave consequences of a delay in diagnosing cancer.  It can mean that more aggressive treatment has to be undertaken that would not have been necessary without the delay.  It can sadly mean that a person’s prognosis is worse when treatment is finally provided.  These consequences can and should be avoided by health professionals undertaking appropriate investigations and making a referral if necessary. 

Pannone solicitors have has helped a number of young people where they have suffered a delay in diagnosing their cancer.  We have a dedicated team of medical negligence solicitors in London and Manchester. If you are concerned that you or a family member have suffered as a result of delayed diagnosis of cancer and would like to discuss this with one of our specialist medical negligence solicitors, please contact us or call 0800 0382 382. We are able to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Contact: Charlotte Moore

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