Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines

Breast cancer is one of the leading threats to women’s health and longevity. While patients with later-stage breast cancer diagnoses often have poor prognoses, when breast cancer is identified in the earlier stages, it is often treatable. As such, numerous medical organizations recommend that doctors caring for women abide by breast cancer screening guidelines to improve the likelihood of diagnosing and treating cancers that would otherwise go undetected. Unfortunately, though, some doctors neglect to perform recommended screenings, and their carelessness ultimately causes their patients harm. If you suffered losses due to a doctor’s ineffective or absent breast cancer screening, you may be able to recover damages in a medical malpractice lawsuit, and it is wise to meet with an attorney. The Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys of Arfaa Law Group are skilled at demonstrating that doctors who harm their patients should be held accountable, and if we represent you, we will diligently pursue a just outcome on your behalf.

Breast cancer screening guidelines are designed to aid in the early detection of breast cancer, thereby improving treatment outcomes and survival rates. These guidelines generally recommend that women of average risk undergo mammography screenings at the age of 40, and continue every one year based on individual risk factors and healthcare provider recommendations. Women with a higher risk, including those with a family history of breast cancer or genetic predispositions, may be advised to undergo earlier and more frequent screenings, including incorporating additional tests like MRI.

When doctors adhere to these guidelines, it can significantly increase the likelihood of detecting breast cancer at an early, more treatable stage. Conversely, when doctors deviate from the guidelines, cancer can go undetected until it has spread, making it harder to treat and worsening patient outcomes. In many instances, women harmed by such careless treatment will seek redress for their losses in medical malpractice lawsuits.

Generally, a plaintiff in a medical malpractice lawsuit will argue liability under a theory of negligence. In Maryland, in order to prove the negligence of a defendant doctor, the plaintiff initially must show that the defendant owed them a duty and that the defendant breached the duty in some manner. The doctor-patient relationship creates the duty imposed on a doctor, which is to treat a patient in the manner a competent doctor working in the same field would in a similar scenario. Any act that deviates from the standard of care should arguably be considered a breach.

In addition to establishing a duty and a breach, the plaintiff has to prove the defendant proximately caused them harm. In other words, they must link the defendant’s breach to the losses they suffered. In all but the clearest of cases, an expert will have to testify on behalf of the plaintiff to explain the standard of care and the ways in which the defendant failed to uphold the standard, and to demonstrate causation.

A plaintiff who proves a defendant’s fault may be able to recoup damages for their financial harm, including out-of-pocket expenses, the cost of any necessary medical treatment, and lost wages. They may also be able to recover compensation for their non-financial losses, such as the mental, physical, and emotional suffering they endured.

Breast cancer screening guidelines, when adhered to, routinely save lives. Not all doctors abide by such guidelines, though, and their refusal to do so often causes significant injuries. If you were harmed by the carelessness of your physician, you may be able to recover damages in a medical malpractice lawsuit, and you should confer with an attorney. The skillful Baltimore lawyers of Arfaa Law Group understand what it takes to prevail in challenging medical malpractice lawsuits, and if you hire us, we will gather the evidence needed to afford you with a strong chance of success. Our office is located in Baltimore, and we frequently represent parties in medical malpractice cases throughout the city. You can contact us at 410-889-1850 or through our online form to arrange a conference.