Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers, and its prevalence deserves an overview in observance of Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

Early Detection
Besides prevention, early detection is best way to identify effective treatment. The sooner you learn you have cancer and begin treatment, the higher your chance of recovery. Lung cancer screening can detect the disease before symptoms start. If a doctor fails to recommend screening or fails to correctly interpret testing which is performed, your chances of survival could greatly diminish. Sometimes lung cancer is misdiagnosed as pneumonia or other benign lung infections.

Late or Misdiagnosis
Unfortunately, lung cancer is often diagnosed too late or incorrectly. Both late diagnosis and misdiagnosis keep you from getting the treatment you need when you need it. Ways to diagnose lung cancer include bronchoscopy, biopsy, CT scan, PET scan, MRI, and bone scan. With the many options available, diagnoses should come in a timely manner.

Mistreatment
There are numerous forms of treatment for lung cancer, including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Most patients receive a combination of treatments, which requires a team of several doctors to coordinate plans and communicate effectively. If doctors fail to coordinate treatments, you may not receive the proper care for your diagnosis.

If you or someone you know is concerned they experienced a medical error relating to lung cancer diagnosis or treatment, or other health care errors, contact Pegalis & Erickson, LLC online or call us at (516) 684-2900. We will be happy to schedule a one-on-one consult in Long Island, New York.