Prostate cancer
Cancer of the prostate is a serious disease affecting a small gland at the base of the male bladder, which produces a protein called prostate specific antigen (PSA), and as this cancer is very common in the UK, successful treatment relies heavily on early diagnosis.
Prostate cancer affects men, usually in the 65 -85 year old age group. Initially there may be no symptoms at all, but eventually there might be difficulty passing urine. Later symptoms might include blood in the urine.
Although prostate cancer shares symptoms with other diseases, new techniques have made it easier to identify. Diagnosis usually follows a rectal examination by a doctor and a blood test will reveal whether the PSA levels are raised. Following a referral to a specialist, a biopsy will generally confirm whether the prostate is cancerous.
Treatment will depend upon the individual patient and their current health and age, but delays in diagnosis could have an adverse effect on the effectiveness of treatment and the likelihood of survival.
Cases involving prostate cancer might involve a delay on the part of the GP to make an appropriate referral to a specialist, or the misreporting of blood test results.
If you have suffered as a result of a medical accident or because of sub-standard care or management, the law can help you find out what happened and why, and in some cases recover compensation for your suffering. Contact us for further information.
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