When it comes to breast cancer, timing is critical. Early detection through vigilant monitoring can mean the difference between a highly treatable condition and a life-threatening one. Yet, too often, the health of Maryland patients is jeopardized because doctors fail to recognize or act on classic warning signs. Lumps, skin changes, nipple abnormalities, and other symptoms demand prompt investigation—but when these red flags are overlooked or dismissed, the cancer may advance unchecked, placing patients at risk of more invasive treatments and worse outcomes. Inadequate monitoring for signs and symptoms of breast cancer is not just a lapse in judgment; it is a breakdown in the duty of care that patients rely on. If you or a loved one suffered harm due to a healthcare provider’s failure to monitor for signs and symptoms of breast cancer, it is important to understand your rights, and you should confer with a lawyer. At Arfaa Law Group, our trusted Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys take pride in advocating for those harmed by preventable medical errors, and if you hire us, we will fight to help you seek any damages you may be owed.
Inadequate monitoring for signs and symptoms of breast cancer can have catastrophic consequences. Breast cancer is highly treatable when detected early, often allowing patients to avoid disfiguring surgeries or aggressive therapies. However, when symptoms such as palpable lumps, dimpling of the skin, nipple inversion, or unexplained pain go unnoticed or are not properly investigated, cancer may spread beyond the breast tissue and into the lymph nodes or other organs. Once breast cancer progresses to later stages, patients often require more invasive treatment, such as mastectomies, chemotherapy, and radiation, and face higher risks of recurrence or death. Further, the consequences of negligent monitoring often extend beyond physical harm, affecting a patient’s financial stability, emotional health, and overall quality of life.
Failing to monitor for signs and symptoms of breast cancer may constitute medical malpractice. As such failures are usually the result of carelessness, most medical malpractice cases proceed under a theory of negligence. Under Maryland law, the first step in establishing negligence is showing that the provider owed the patient a duty. The duty a doctor owes a patient, which generally arises from the treatment relationship, is to adhere to accepted medical standards, which means they must offer the care a competent professional in the same field would provide in the same situation.
The plaintiff must then show that the defendant breached this duty by failing to comply with the standard of care. For example, they may neglect to conduct appropriate clinical breast exams, disregard reported symptoms, or fail to order diagnostic imaging or biopsies when warranted.
Next, the plaintiff has to establish causation by linking the defendant’s failure to monitor or act to the patient’s harm. Expert testimony is generally necessary to explain how the defendant’s negligence led to a delayed diagnosis that caused the cancer to progress to a more advanced stage, resulting in more aggressive treatments or reducing the patient’s survival chances.
Lastly, the plaintiff must demonstrate that they suffered actual damages as a result of the defendant’s negligence.
A plaintiff that shows the defendant should be held liable may be awarded compensation for their medical expenses, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life. In cases where a patient passes away due to advanced cancer, surviving family members may pursue wrongful death damages to address funeral expenses and the financial and emotional losses caused by the death.
When providers fail to monitor for signs and symptoms of breast cancer, the consequences can be life-altering or fatal. If you or a loved one has been harmed by a healthcare provider’s failure to recognize or respond to the early indicators of breast cancer, you may be entitled to pursue a malpractice claim. At Arfaa Law Group, our experienced Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys have the knowledge and resources needed to present winning cases against negligent providers, and if we represent you, we will zealously seek the outcome you deserve. Our office is located in Baltimore, and we represent clients across the region. To schedule a free consultation, contact us at 410-889-1850 or complete our online form today.
