In the battle against cancer, timing is critical. This is especially true when it comes to colon cancer, which is often treatable if detected early. Symptoms such as rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, or changes in bowel habits are not minor complaints; they are signals that demand careful attention. Despite significant advances in screening tools and diagnostic methods, however, many patients continue to suffer serious harm because of their medical providers’ inadequate monitoring for signs and symptoms of colon cancer. If you or someone you care about were negatively impacted by a provider’s failure to monitor for colon cancer symptoms, you may have grounds to pursue a malpractice claim, and you should talk to a lawyer. At Arfaa Law Group, our experienced Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys proudly advocate for individuals harmed by negligent medical care, and if you engage our services, we will work tirelessly to help you seek the accountability you deserve.
Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is among the most preventable and treatable forms of cancer when identified in its early stages. Unfortunately, it often presents subtly, with symptoms that can mimic other, less serious gastrointestinal conditions. Common early indicators include rectal bleeding, changes in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, abdominal discomfort, and persistent fatigue. In high-risk patients, such as those with a family history of colorectal cancer or known genetic predispositions, these signs should raise immediate concern and prompt further diagnostic evaluation, including colonoscopy, blood tests, or imaging.
When providers fail to monitor for signs and symptoms of colon cancer, the disease can advance undetected. A delayed diagnosis frequently results in the cancer spreading to lymph nodes or distant organs, significantly decreasing the patient’s prognosis and limiting treatment options. The impact of this oversight can be profound. Patients may endure more aggressive interventions like chemotherapy or surgical resection, suffer debilitating physical pain, and face shortened life expectancy. Furthermore, the emotional toll of confronting a diagnosis that could have been caught earlier and perhaps even prevented can be overwhelming for both patients and their families.
Under Maryland law, a patient harmed by a healthcare provider’s failure to monitor for signs and symptoms of colon cancer will most likely need to prove that the provider acted negligently to recover damages. In Maryland, negligence claims hinge on the plaintiff’s ability to demonstrate four elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages.
The existence of a duty is typically established by the physician-patient relationship. Once this relationship exists, the defendant provider is obligated to deliver care consistent with the standard of care recognized by reasonably competent professionals in similar circumstances. This includes monitoring for warning signs of cancer, especially when symptoms are consistent, or the patient is at elevated risk.
A breach of this duty occurs when a defendant fails to meet that standard. In colon cancer cases, a breach might involve dismissing a patient’s reported symptoms without adequate evaluation, neglecting to order appropriate tests, or failing to follow up on abnormal screening results. Most plaintiffs will need to support their claims with expert testimony to establish the standard of care and to explain how the defendant’s conduct fell short of that standard.
The plaintiff must then prove causation by demonstrating that the breach directly resulted in the patient’s harm. In cases involving colon cancer, this means showing that earlier detection, had the provider properly monitored the patient, would have led to a better medical outcome. Proving a causal link between the defendant’s breach and the plaintiff’s harm typically requires expert testimony as well.
Finally, the plaintiff must establish that actual damages occurred. Under Maryland law, recoverable damages include economic losses such as medical expenses, future treatment costs, and lost income, as well as non-economic damages like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life.
Monitoring for signs and symptoms of colon cancer is a key component of protecting patient health, as timely recognition and response to symptoms can mean the difference between a curable condition and a terminal illness. When healthcare providers fail to take a patient’s concerns seriously or neglect routine screenings, they jeopardize lives and betray the trust placed in them. If you believe a medical professional failed to monitor your condition properly and that oversight allowed colon cancer to progress, you should speak with an attorney as soon as possible. At Arfaa Law Group, our skilled Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys understand how to navigate the complex medical and legal questions at the heart of these cases, and if you engage our services, we will advocate zealously on your behalf. Our office is located in Baltimore, and we proudly represent clients throughout the city. To schedule a free meeting, call us at 410-889-1850 or contact us through our online form.
