Prostate Cancer Awareness
November has seen the rise of men fashioning hairy faces in the form of moustaches in an attempt to raise awareness of men’s health. This movement, known as Movember, raises funds to research prostate cancer, testicular cancer and male mental health.
The prostate is a small gland in the pelvis of men, roughly the size of a walnut. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, with over 40,000 new cases diagnosed every year and is most common in men over 50. It is a slow developing cancer, meaning once diagnosed it is easily treatable and survival rate is high. However, there are also downfalls to prostate cancer being slow growing, in that symptoms may not develop for many years.
The most common, but not the only symptom, is the increased need to urinate and a feeling that the bladder has not fully emptied after urinating. Although experiencing these symptoms does not mean that the diagnosis is cancer, it should alert your GP to investigate this further.
If a GP fails to make a referral where a patient has suspected prostate cancer or a consultant does not diagnose the cancer further to investigations, it can result in prolonged pain and suffering and can have a significant impact on the likelihood of survival.
Wolferstans have recently successfully settled a claim for a client whose husband received a late diagnosis of prostate cancer which sadly resulted in his untimely death.
The client presented to the hospital in early 2011 complaining of hip pain. This was investigated and an X-ray was performed following which he was diagnosed with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid myalgia of the hip. Following a fall in October 2012, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and was told it had metastasised and caused damage to his hip. On review of the x ray performed in 2011 it was noted that the cancer was present but had not been noticed and this was the cause of his symptoms in 2011. The client was advised this was a non-fatal cancer and a hip transplant was performed to alleviate the pain he was experiencing.
He sadly passed away in late 2012 however had he been diagnosed in 2011, he would have been treated for the pain he was suffering and his life expectancy would have been dramatically improved and may have even made a full recovery. The client was awarded £12,000 for the pain and suffering her husband endured and for the bereavement experienced in the loss of her husband.
If you or a member of your family has suffered an injury as a result of medical negligence and you would like to receive some free initial legal advice, without obligation, please contact Ann Ball on 01752 292374 or email her at aball@wolferstans.com
This year, Wolferstans are supporting the Movember Foundation and on 24th November 2016, we will be wearing our moustaches with pride (real or fake). Be sure to visit our twitter account to see the pictures of the team.