Oregon patients who receive a late diagnosis of cancer may go through unnecessary suffering and many may have an untimely death. In a report released by the World Health Organization, experts are stating that certain actions must be taken to ensure that cancer is detected early.
The organization stated that it wanted health services to target on implementing the early diagnosing and treatment of cancer that would give people a higher chance of survival. When cancer is diagnosed in its late stages, there is an inability to provide the treatment that would spare many patients from suffering and death.
The early diagnosis and quick treatment of cancer, particularly cervical, colorectal and breast cancers, would result in more survivors and reduced treatment costs. The treatment for early-stage cancer is not only less expensive than the treatment for cancer that is in its later stages, but the patients who receive treatment in time will be able to continue to work and financially support their families.
Every year, over 14 million people develop cancer. The disease is the cause of nearly one out of every six deaths in the world and kills approximately 8.8 million people every year, according to the WHO report. The annual number of people who get cancer is expected to rise to 21 million by 2030. WHO states that poorer countries should focus on providing effective, low-cost cancer diagnosis and treatment services. This can reduce the number of individuals who have to pay for cancer treatments on their own.
A failure to detect cancer in a timely manner can lead to a worsened medical condition. Not every such error is medical malpractice, however, and a plaintiff’s attorney will have to demonstrate that it constituted a failure by the practitioner to exhibit the requisite standard of care.