Rachelle Mahapatra
Partner
Cancer Misdiagnosis Claims
A cancer diagnosis can be devastating. This can be made even more difficult to deal with if your cancer was misdiagnosed, diagnosed too late, or even preventable. But you’re not alone in this. Our experts can be your advocate, getting you the answers and compensation you need to move forward.
We help you make a claim if earlier diagnosis and treatment would have changed your prognosis
Diagnosing and treating cancer at an early stage can be lifesaving. Sometimes, medical professionals make mistakes and recognise symptoms too late.
A cancer misdiagnosis can have a serious impact on your life. Misdiagnosed cancer can result in more invasive treatment, or the cancer spreading or becoming terminal. We’ve seen the impact this has on people who are already going through so much. We’re ready to stand in your corner and get to work so you get the compensation you deserve.
Our expert lawyers have helped thousands of people claim after a cancer misdiagnosis. With understanding and sensitivity, we will work to get answers from those responsible because we know moving on isn’t just about compensation, it’s about accountability.
How can cancer be misdiagnosed?
Cancer can be misdiagnosed because its symptoms are shared with non-fatal, benign conditions. It can also be missed because of diagnostic errors such as misreading CT scans.
Common reasons for cancer being misdiagnosed includes:
- Symptom overlap: Cancer symptoms are often the same as less-severe diseases. For example, lung cancer can be diagnosed as bronchitis at first.
- Image/testing errors: A radiologist may misread your scans (X-rays or CT scans) or your tissue samples might be misread.
- False positives/negatives: Screening tests can sometimes show false negatives, which misses the cancer, or false positives, which identifies something wrongly as cancer.
- Diagnostic overshadowing: A doctor might wrongly diagnose new and serious symptoms to an existing condition and decide against further investigation.
- Communication failure: A delay in your referral to a specialist.
What cancers are commonly misdiagnosed?
Most types of cancer have symptoms that are the same or similar to those from non-cancerous conditions. This means that your cancer could be misdiagnosed.
We may be able to help with your claim if you have experienced one of the following misdiagnoses:
- Breast cancer: Like other inflammatory breast conditions, such as mastitis (painful and inflamed breast tissue) and fibrocystic breast disease (benign lumps in the breast).
- Bowel cancer: This can be confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
- Lung cancer: Signs can be mistaken for lung infections including bronchitis, tuberculosis, and pneumonia.
Thorough checks and referrals for specialist tests can help avoid cancer misdiagnosis. Healthcare professionals should know the tell-tale signs of cancer, and they should know the importance of acting quickly to detect cancer early.
We are here to help if you have suffered because of cancer misdiagnosis. We can help you get compensation and rehabilitation to make your life easier.
Cancer misdiagnosis claim scenarios
Asbestos-related lung cancer claims
Developing a work-related illness or cancer is an injustice that nobody deserves. We’ll work hard to get you answers and compensation.
Exposure to asbestos is known to cause several types of lung disease including pleural thickening, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. There’s a strong link with lung cancer, too. You are most at risk of asbestos exposure if you worked in certain jobs, such as:
- Metal workers
- Plumbers
- Gas fitters
- Electricians
- Carpenters
- Fitters
- Textile workers
- Railway engine and carriage builders.
The symptoms of asbestos exposure can take decades to appear, but you can still make a claim, even if the company you worked for is no longer in business.
Breast cancer screening claims
If the NHS breast cancer screening appointment failure caused your late diagnosis, we could help you get answers and claim compensation.
All women aged 50 to 70 are entitled to breast cancer screening every three years.
However, from 2009 to 2018, a serious computer error meant NHS England’s appointment booking system failed to schedule final screening appointments for around 450,000 women. Some of these women may have experienced late diagnosis of breast cancer leading to more difficult treatments and reduced life expectancy.
If you believe you were affected by this, our experienced medical negligence solicitors could help you claim compensation.
Find the right help
We have dedicated experts operating in claims for multiple types of cancer:
- Bowel Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Cervical Cancer
- Bone Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
- Ovarian Cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Skin Cancer
- Thyroid Cancer
- Kidney Cancer
- Lymphoma Cancer
- Oral Cancer
- Testicular Cancer.
If you have been affected by a cancer misdiagnosis that isn’t on this list, please get in touch so we can talk through your experience and find the right legal expert for you.
There’s no commitment in calling. We offer a free consultation to discuss your case – and operate on a no win no fee basis if you decide to go ahead with us.
Meet the specialist from our team
We are the largest medical negligence team in the UK. Find out about our partners, our clients and our specialist knowledge.
Case study of cancer misdiagnosis
It can be reassuring to know you’re not alone. Find out more about the experiences of others who have been through a cancer misdiagnosis and turned to Irwin Mitchell for guidance.
Liability admitted after missed bladder tumour led to delayed diagnosis
In December 2024, our client was diagnosed with a metastasised stage 4 multifocal bladder cancer. During this diagnosis, he was informed that the tumour had been visible as a small, single tumour on a scan taken more than two years earlier, in September 2022. At the time, the tumour was not reported, and he was discharged with no follow‑up or further investigation.
We have secured a full admission of liability from the NHS Trust, and our client will now receive compensation.
Why choose Irwin Mitchell to help you with your cancer misdiagnosis claim?
Our compassionate and expert legal team have worked with people across the UK after a cancer misdiagnosis has impacted their life. We are well aware of the consequences of a misdiagnosis, and we work to make sure you receive the compensation and support you deserve.
The team is part of the largest Medical Negligence legal department of any law firm in the UK. We often help with complex cases where others won't. This is recognised by independent legal guide, The Legal 500, which says:
"Irwin Mitchell fields a standout clinical negligence team with deep bench strength and a clear focus on complex, high-value litigation."
Alongside our legal specialists, you will have access to our in-house Support and Rehabilitation Coordinators. They are there to help you identify and access the support you could benefit from.
How much compensation can be claimed for cancer misdiagnosis?
Every cancer misdiagnosis claim is unique, which means the compensation amount varies from case to case.
When we are valuing your claim ahead of settlement discussions, we will consider:
- Impact of misdiagnosis: If the cancer became incurable during the time it was missed, that will result in higher compensation. Similarly, if it's curable, but severely alters your life.
- Financial losses: This covers any loss of earnings (now and in the future), travel expenses, future treatment costs, and care costs.
- Psychological damage: If you have any emotional injuries because of the misdiagnosis, this can be considered in the compensation amount as well.
Frequently asked questions
Speak to a specialist
We are here to listen and guide you through your next steps. Complete our enquiry form and one of our experts will contact you by the next working day.
Alternatively, you can call us now.
Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm (Excluding Public Holidays).
08000984603
- Our legal experts talk to experts from other fields to gain insight into specific issues around cancer, from the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to the cancer treatment journey in this informative webinar.
The catch up with cancer movement
Our locations
With offices all over the country, we can help you wherever you’ve experienced a cancer misdiagnosis. Can’t come into the office? Don’t worry, we can meet you in an appropriate alternative location, or we can speak by phone, video call, or even email.Irwin Mitchell Scotland
Scottish cases will be handled by the Scottish law firm with which we are associated, Irwin Mitchell Scotland LLP. The law relating to funding is different in Scotland and you will receive separate advice about what that means as well as a separate funding agreement.