What Happens If Physcians Do Not Screen African-American Males For Cancer Until It Metastasizes

In what follows we consider 2 lawsuits that provide some an understanding of the value of testing men for prostate cancer. Although there has been a certain amount of discussion recently on the value of screening male patients for prostate cancer (mainly concerning the PSA screening test) some points remain undisputable. To begin with, prostate cancer affects PSA levels. Second, African-American males have a larger probability of having prostate cancer before it spreads. Also, in case where prostate cancer is detected early, the man has in excess of a 97% likelihood of surviving beyond five years. Further, if it is not caught until after it has reached an advanced stage, there is currently no known cure. Fifth, normally physicians acknowledge that at the very least a physician ought to have a discussion with a male patient of a particular age on the subject of screening for prostate cancer and that dialogue and any testing ought to happen at an earlier age for African-American men.

In the first malpractice matter, a man of African-American heritage routinely saw his family physician. Throughout the years, the doctor treated the patient for several medical problems. Most notably were prostate related ailments. Yet, the physician did not correctly do testing when the patient was without symptoms or diagnostic testing to eliminate the chance of prostate cancer during the times the man had prostate related probles. After the patient turned fifty years old, he came across an article which described the value of testing and asked the physician to test him. At the time he was diagnosed with prostate cancer which had already spread. The law firm that handled this matter reported the matter settled for the sum of $750,000.

In a second reported lawsuit the patient was an African-American man, age 41, who asked to be tested for prostate cancer following being part of a campaign to raise awareness about the risk middle-aged African-American men face when it comes to prostate cancer. The man thought a PSA test was ordered and simply believed the results were normal given that he did not hear anything more about it. The patient saw the physician again 2 years later. The physician again did not get a PSA test. This time the physician did not even do a digital examination.

Subsequently that year the patient saw another physician in the same practice. This doctor both completed a digital examination and ordered a PSA test. The patient now learned that he had prostate cancer with bone metastasis. The law firm that represented the victim in this matter reported achieving a settlement in the case as it was pending an appeal of a $2.75 Million verdict.

An important issue from these cases is that, despite any argument regarding the benefits of testing men for prostate cancer, not doing so may end in spread of the cancer and eventually, the patient's death - a death that might have be prevented. In case you was not diagnosed until the cancer had reached an advanced stage because the physician never informed the man about testing procedures or caused a delay in the diagnosis or treatment of the cancer, you ought to contact a lawyer right away.