A Misinterpreted Mammogram Can Lead to Delayed Breast Cancer Diagnosis

When you think of a delayed breast cancer diagnosis, you might think of the doctor diagnosing the potentially fatal condition as a different disease.  But has it crossed your mind that the delay could have been caused by a mammogram error?

According to researchers at the California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, a delay in breast cancer diagnosis is 10 times more likely to happen if there is a negative mammogram.  These same researchers discovered that misinterpreted mammograms account for 3 percent of delayed breast cancer diagnosis cases.

Mammogram Errors Come in Many Forms
Mammograms play an important role in the early detection of breast cancer.  These breast x-rays have two main purposes – to screen for unusual changes in the breast and to diagnose a finding.  When the radiologist makes an error, it can lead to a delay in diagnosis.

Some of the common mammography errors include:

• Mammogram was administered improperly
• Mammogram results were not analyzed correctly
• Poor maintenance of mammogram machine
• Unskilled radiologist who misinterprets the test

What You Should Do
There are often a lot of questions following a breast cancer diagnosis, including whether or not the disease could have been detected earlier.  If you believe you have suffered from a delayed breast cancer diagnosis due to a mammogram error, you should contact a Fairfax medical malpractice attorney for advice.  You should also order a FREE copy of our book, Why Most Medical Malpractice Victims Never Recover a Dime.

Learn more about Virginia breast cancer misdiagnosis cases in our articles:

• Avoid a Misdiagnosis: Know the Warning Signs of Breast Cancer
• Why a Delayed Breast Cancer Diagnosis is so Dangerous
• What Causes a Delayed Diagnosis of Breast Cancer?