Screening for Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is one of the deadliest malignancies, in part because it is often not discovered until it has metastasized, at which point it becomes difficult to treat. As such, it is recommended that women undergo routine tests to screen for the disease. The failure to conduct recommended screening and careless mistakes during the screening process, though, can cause significant harm that, in many instances, is, unfortunately, fatal. If you or someone you love suffered losses due to mistakes surrounding the screening for cervical cancer, you should explore your right to pursue medical malpractice claims, and you should speak to an attorney as soon as possible. At Arfaa Law Group, our dedicated Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys appreciate the devastation preventable medical negligence can cause. If you hire us, we will aggressively pursue any recoverable compensation from the healthcare providers responsible for your harm.

Screening for cervical cancer is aimed at early detection and prevention of the disease. The primary screening tool is the Pap smear, which detects precancerous or cancerous cells on the cervix. Guidelines recommend that women start screening at the age of 21 and continue at regular intervals, usually every three years, for those with normal results. Additionally, the human papillomavirus (HPV) test is often used alongside the Pap test or as a standalone screening method, given the strong link between HPV and cervical cancer.

Errors during the cervical cancer screening process can result in missed and delayed diagnoses. This can occur when a healthcare provider misinterprets Pap smear results, leading to false-negative results where precancerous or cancerous cells are present but not detected. If the sample of cervical cells collected is insufficient or improperly handled, it can compromise the accuracy of the test results as well. In some instances, a doctor will fail to communicate abnormal results to patients promptly or may neglect to recommend appropriate further testing or treatment, which can increase the risk of progression to invasive cancer.

Lastly, errors can also stem from a doctor’s failure to abide by screening guidelines, which require screening at appropriate intervals and the consideration of individual risk factors, which can result in missed opportunities for early detection.

People harmed by errors in screening for cervical cancer will often pursue damages from the providers that caused their injuries. In most instances, establishing liability for medical malpractice requires the plaintiff to prove the negligence of the defendant.

In Maryland, a plaintiff pursuing a negligence claim must show that the defendant owed them a duty and that the defendant subsequently breached the duty. The duty a healthcare provider owes a patient is to offer treatment that aligns with the standard of care, which is the care a reasonable professional working in the same practice area would offer in a similar situation. Additionally, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant’s failure to uphold the standard of care caused the plaintiff to suffer actual harm. Generally, establishing the standard of care, showing the manner in which the defendant breached the standard, and connecting the two requires expert testimony.

Screening for cervical cancer increases the likelihood of early detection, which generally increases treatment options and improves patient results. If screening is not conducted properly, or at all, cervical cancer may go undiagnosed until it reaches a stage where it is unlikely that treatment will be effective. If you were harmed by mistakes made during the screening for cervical cancer, you may be eligible to recover damages, and you should confer with an attorney. The trusted Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers of Arfaa Law Group take pride in helping victims of medical errors protect their interests, and if you hire us, we will gather the evidence needed to help you seek an outcome in your favor. Our office is located in Baltimore, and we often represent people in medical malpractice claims throughout the city. You can reach us to set up a consultation by calling us at 410-889-1850 or using our online form.