Cervical cancer affects the women's lower part of the uterus or  cervix.  Every year over 11,000 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with  this cancer.  If it is diagnosed early, treatment can be successful.  On  the other hand, a misdiagnosis can result in delayed treatment.   Without the proper treatment, the survival rate decreases considerably  and it may lead to death.
There are medical attorneys that will  represent victims who had a misdiagnosis of with cancer.  Speak with an  attorney regarding the claim; they will evaluate your case free of  charge.
How Cervical Cancer Is Diagnosed
Sexually  active women should go have regular Pap smears.  While Pap smears are  not a diagnostic test, they are used to spot abnormal cells.  If  abnormal cells are present, further tests should be ordered to make a  positive diagnosis.  Some diagnostic tests include:
- Colposcopy - an instrument called a colposcope is used to look at the cervix and see more clearly areas of abnormal cell growth
- Biopsy - a sample of abnormal tissue is taken from the cervix for testing
- Endocervical scraping - a specialized instrument is used to scrape tissue lining the endocervical canal, an area the doctor cannot reach with the colposcope
- Cone biopsy - a cone-shaped piece of tissue is removed from the cervix
Not overseeing diagnostic tests or misinterpreting the results can  put off successful treatment options and the consequences can be fatal.
How Misdiagnosis Occurs
A missed or wrong diagnosis of cervical cancer may occur for the following reasons:
- The doctor fails to recognize symptoms of cervical cancer, thereby failing to perform the tests necessary for diagnosis
- The doctor fails to obtain a full patient history, which is important for identifying risk factors such as Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
- Lab results are misinterpreted
- A laboratory error causes the patient's results to be confused with another patient's
There are many types of misdiagnosis.  Delayed diagnosis, missed  diagnosis and wrong diagnosis can each have their own consequence.  For  instance, a wrong diagnosis of cancer when a patient does not have it  can mean a person undergoing treatments that are not needed.  In  addition, if cancer was missed, a patient will not receive treatment  they actually need to live.
Have You Been Misdiagnosed?
If  you were misdiagnosed with cervical cancer, there is legal action you  can take and with the help of a medical attorney, it can happen.  The  negligent party can be held liable and a victim can recover some  compensation for damages lost.  This can include lost wages, treatment  costs, pain, and suffering.
Contact an attorney to learn more  about your legal rights if you have received a misdiagnosis of cervical  cancer.  They will evaluate your case at no cost and advise you of your  rights.
