Skin Cancer Negligence Compensation Claims Solicitors.

Skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells in the epidermis, which is the outermost layer of the skin, and is most commonly found on skin which has been overexposed to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or from artificial tanning equipment. When left unchecked, these abnormal cells can mutate into tumours.

In the majority of cases, skin cancer is caused by exposure to ultraviolet light. The UV rays can cause damage to the DNA within the skin’s cells many years prior to the development of cancer, which is why skin cancer is most often found in older people. Whatever type of skin cancer you have, if it has been made worse due to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment, we can help you to claim the compensation you deserve.

When we talk about skin cancer misdiagnosis, there are three main areas to be considered:

• Missed diagnosis – If your skin cancer has been missed completely and has gone undiagnosed, this means you will not have received the required treatment, and your condition could have potentially worsened.
• Incorrect diagnosis – If a medical professional has given you the wrong diagnosis you may have then received incorrect treatment, or not received any treatment at all. Likewise, if you have received a diagnosis of skin cancer when you, in fact, do not have skin cancer, you may have received unnecessary treatment, as well as the undue anxiety and stress of receiving such a diagnosis.
• Delayed diagnosis – If there has been a delay in your skin cancer being diagnosed, your condition will have gone untreated for longer than necessary, perhaps leading to a worsening of your symptoms and a less favourable prognosis.

It could be that your GP did not examine you properly at your first appointment, or perhaps they failed to follow up on the symptoms you presented with. Maybe your GP did refer you to a specialist, but they failed to carry out a biopsy, or the test results were misinterpreted and you were given an incorrect diagnosis. Or perhaps you had to wait too long for your referral appointment or the results of your tests, and your condition worsened in the meantime.

If you have received any kind of negligent treatment from a medical professional which you feel has directly contributed to the worsening of your skin cancer, we can help you to claim the compensation you deserve.

Melanoma behaves differently to BCC and SCC. It is often very fast-growing, and early treatment is necessary for a good prognosis. It typically develops from abnormal moles on the body, and is more common in older people.

Melanoma will usually develop in parts of the body that are often exposed to direct sunlight. It can develop from moles on the skin, and can present multiple colours and an irregular shape. Melanoma skin cancer is considered a more severe type of cancer than Carcinoma, as it can spread to other tissues more quickly.

Because of how important timely and correctly diagnosing this condition is, Melanoma Misdiagnosis or late diagnosis can have devastating effects on a patient. If left untreated, the cancer can spread, leading to malignant melanoma cancer cases with a much more severe prognosis. If your Melanoma has worsened because of a missed or delayed diagnosis, you may be entitled to make a Skin Cancer Misdiagnosis Claim. Contact Lanyon Bowdler today to find out your next steps.

Carcinoma is a type of skin cancer that is formed in the tissue that lines the organs and the skin, known as Epithelial Tissue. These types of skin cancer are generally considered less severe than Melanoma, and early detection can massively affect survival rates, and reduce the invasiveness of treatment.

There are two main types of Carcinoma skin cancer:

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)

Basal cells are found in the base layer of the epidermis, and cancer within these cells is typically very slow-growing, rarely spreading to other parts of the body. When treated early, BCC can usually be completely cured. However, it can become aggressive if left untreated for too long, making it more difficult to treat.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)

This is a cancer of the keratinocyte cells found in the outer layer of the skin. Like basal cell carcinoma, this type of skin cancer grows very slowly, and in most cases it is completely curable.

Although it is considered a less serious condition, Carcinoma Misdiagnosis can significantly impact your prognosis. These cancers are less likely to spread to other tissues, but are able to if left untreated or treated incorrectly. Cases of medical negligence involving Carcinoma skin cancer can often have terrible repercussions, and if your condition has been affected by a Carcinoma Misdiagnosis or late diagnosis you may be entitled to claim compensation.

When skin cancer is treated early enough, there is a very high survival rate, which is why prompt diagnosis and treatment are key to successful skin cancer management. When there is any sort of delay in the diagnosis or treatment of skin cancer, it can have a huge impact on the patient, including:

• The cancer may spread to other parts of the body
• The illness lasts for longer than it would likely have done with earlier treatment
• The physical pain and suffering is exacerbated and prolonged
• The skin cancer requires more aggressive treatment than it may otherwise have done
• The patient experiences lifestyle changes resulting from the misdiagnosis
• The patient experiences financial losses, i.e. loss of earnings or medical expenses
• The psychological effects of diagnosis are exacerbated e.g. anxiety and depression

If you are unhappy with the level of care you have received during your skin cancer diagnosis and treatment, and feel that your condition has been made worse due to negligent care, we can help you to seek justice. At Lanyon Bowdler our team of medical negligence solicitors have the experience and expertise to help you win your compensation case. We have helped many people who have been in the same situation, so don’t hesitate to put your trust in us.

The different types of skin cancer have slightly different symptoms to look out for.

Basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma are both non-melanoma skin cancers, and their symptoms include:

• A sore or spot that doesn’t heal within one month
• A sore or spot that is itchy, scabbed, crusty, or bleeds for more than one month
• An ulcer, or broken-down area of skin, that doesn’t heal within one month

Melanoma cancer most commonly affects moles on the body, and cancer may be developing if the mole experiences any of the following:

• It grows bigger
• It changes shape
• It changes colour
• It loses symmetry
• It is itchy or painful
• It bleeds or goes crusty
• It looks inflamed

If you notice any changes in your skin at all it is important to seek advice from your GP as early as possible. As with most cancers, the survival rate for skin cancer is higher the earlier it is detected. If you have received negligent treatment from a doctor which has delayed your diagnosis and subsequent treatment, we can help you to seek justice and compensation for your suffering.

The first step in any skin cancer diagnosis will usually be to see your GP, who will then examine you, ask about your symptoms, and they may ask about your family’s medical history. If your GP suspects skin cancer, they will then refer you to a specialist for further diagnostic tests. Inaccurate diagnosis in the early stages can have serious repercussions further down the line, so it is vital that GPs carry out rigorous testing on patients who present with symptoms of skin cancer.

Once you’ve been referred to a specialist, they will most likely carry out a biopsy, whereby the tumour is either partially or wholly removed in order to be examined and tested for cancerous cells. In some cases, the removal of the tumour for the biopsy may also remove the cancer completely if it hasn’t spread to other parts of the body.

For non-melanoma skin cancers, surgery is usually the most effective way of removing the cancer. Other treatments also include cryotherapy, photodynamic therapy, radiotherapy, electrochemotherapy, and anticancer creams. The treatment you receive largely depends on the location, type, and severity of the skin cancer.