Common Symptoms of Colon Cancer and Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Part of the reason so many people with colon cancer are initially diagnosed with IBS is that the two conditions share a variety of symptoms, including:
- Fatigue
- Cramps
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain and discomfort
- Changes in bowel movement routine
- Passing gas significantly more than is normal
Despite a handful of common symptoms, doctors are trained to fully assess patients’ symptoms and look for dangerous, life-threatening problems like colon cancer. Patients’ lives are at risk when physicians fail to follow proper protocol regarding evaluation of symptoms, and when cancer is mistaken for something else, the consequences can be deadly.
What Happens When Cancer Goes Untreated and Undetected
Cancer grows in stages, each one more pervasive and damaging than the one before it. Colon cancer begins as a polyp, which is a cluster of cells that can be seen via digital rectal exam, sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy, and can be chemically detected via other methods such as biopsy and fecal occult blood testing.
When a doctor fails to detect or treat colon polyps within a reasonable amount of time, they can grow and expand, to the point that they puncture a hole in the colon and the cancer begins to spread to other organs. Once colon cancer reaches this stage, the outcome can be disastrous, making it imperative for physicians to perceive, test, and treat cancer as quickly as possible.
In short, a person suffering from colon cancer loses valuable time when undergoing treatment for a condition like irritable bowel syndrome, which may temporarily relieve some of the symptoms but will not combat the cancer that is quickly growing and spreading throughout the body.
Medical Malpractice Attorneys Serving Injured People in Philadelphia
At Golomb Legal, P.C., we understand the devastating consequences of untreated, undetected cancer. Our team of experienced medical malpractice attorneys can help you evaluate whether or not your doctor should have or reasonably could have recognized that you were suffering from colon cancer, rather than IBS, Crohn’s Disease, or another disorder.
We are prepared to represent you and help you seek compensation for damages in the event your doctor’s failure to identify and treat your colon cancer in a timely manner leads to death, worsened illness, hefty medical expenses, and other painful losses.
Call (215) 278-4449 today or send us an email to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers.