Statistically less than 1% people diagnosed with colon cancer are younger than thirty-five. But, because of the fact that colon cancer can be fatal doctors generally concur that rectal bleeding, even in someone below 35, has to be followed by a colonoscopy to figure out the source of the bleeding Simply assuming that the blood is caused by hemorrhoids may constitute malpractice.

Consider what happened in a documented claim involving a woman who told her family doctor that she noticed blood in her stool and felt pain as she had bowel movements. The woman was only twenty four. The physician, justwithout even conducting an examination, prescribed a laxative after deciding that she had diarrhea and other bowel problems. The woman returned four months later with complaints of constipation, pain and problems sitting. On this occasion the doctor finally examined her but told her she had hemorrhoids. His treatment: an enema. The woman went back to the doctor on two additional occassions and every time was told that her symptoms were due to hemorrhoids and she had nothing to be concerned with.

The woman had to be rushed to an emergency room because of severe pain 7 months following her initial trip to the family physician. They scheduled a colonoscopy and was found to have advanced colorectal cancer. The cancer was so prevalent by the time she underwent surgery that not only did the surgeon need to remove a portion of her colon but also had to remove her uterus and a section of her lower intestines. This was followed by chemotherapy. The cancer returned and the woman died in less than three years. She was survived by her husband and daughter, a minor.

The law firm that represented the family published that the case went to trail and the jury come back with a verdict of $2.5 million. The award included the maximum of $350,000 allowed for pain and suffering under the law of the State where the physician practices. The remainder was for future lost wages. This claim is just one example of what may be the most common medical error concerning the delayed diagnosis of colon cancer.

Far too often doctors do not order a colonoscopy or refer the individual to a gastroenterologist when a patient complains of rectal bleeding or blood in the stool. Rather, these physicians simply assume that the blood is the result of hemorrhoids. This is especially typical if the patient is less than 50.

If a situation like the one described above occurs and the patient passes away due to the fact the cancer progressed so far that a cure was no longer possible because of the delay in diagnosis the surviving family might be able to bring a claim against the physician who caused the delay.