What Are The Most Common Signs Of A Cancer Misdiagnosis?

The symptoms of cancer in its earliest stages are often very different from its later stages, if they are even noticeable at all.

Whilst there are some early overlapping cancer diagnoses that can be spotted, it can sometimes require the intervention of an oncologist to notice that an ostensibly innocuous bad feeling could be an early symptom of cancer.

In general, doctors endeavour to rule out serious conditions, and if there is a chance that a small lump, fatigue that is unaccounted for or unusual bleeding is a sign of cancer, they will arrange tests or a referral to an oncologist to rule that out.

However, the complexity of rare diseases and the need to avoid delays or undertreatment mean that it is possible for a misdiagnosis to happen. This is what makes a second opinion using advanced diagnostics so vital.

To help you understand when to ask for a second opinion, here is a guide to misdiagnoses, when and how to ask for a second opinion, and questions to ask yourself and your doctor if you are worried that you do not have the right diagnosis.

How Does A Cancer Misdiagnosis Happen?

A misdiagnosis takes one of three forms:

• Complete Misdiagnosis - One condition is mistakenly diagnosed for another.
• Missed Diagnosis - A condition is either missed or potential complications are overlooked.
• Delayed Diagnosis - A condition takes too long to properly diagnose.

They can happen for a variety of reasons, but it is often the result of nonspecific symptoms, misinterpretation of test results, time pressures during the early stages of diagnosis, or the doctor who diagnoses you is less aware of rare forms of cancer.

Thankfully, most doctors rightfully endeavour to rule out potential serious conditions rather than dismissing out of hand the potential that relatively innocuous symptoms could be a sign of cancer.

Neither you nor your doctor wants to miss the chance of spotting cancer early and allowing for less intrusive treatments.

You know your body best, and if the diagnosis you have been told does not match, you notice a discrepancy or otherwise something does not feel right, you should ask for a second opinion.

When Should You Ask For A Second Opinion?

A second opinion is sometimes an essential element of any diagnostic process, as different doctors have access to more advanced tests, equipment and specialist knowledge.

In many cases, a GP will arrange a referral to a specialist for a second opinion as a matter of course, but you have the right to ask for one and General Medical Council guidelines state unequivocally that all doctors must respect this right.

In general, you should ask for a second opinion if:

• You feel uncertain and want to confirm your diagnosis.
• You want to make sure that the suggested treatment plan is right for you.
• You want to rule out other conditions which are causing your symptoms.

Questions To Ask If You Are Worried About A Misdiagnosis

One of the best ways to stop a misdiagnosis affecting your treatment is clear communication between your doctor, cancer team and yourself. Always feel free to ask questions, seek clarity and trust your instincts and your body.

To help with this, here are some questions to ask yourself and the doctor who gave you your diagnosis.

Does Your Diagnosis Match How You Feel?

The most important question to ask is whether the diagnosis fits how you feel.

Exactly which symptoms you feel can vary depending on the stage of cancer, where the tumour is located, and your overall health, but there is still a set of expectations, and if your diagnosis does not seem to match or there are unanswered questions, it is good to be cautious.

Is Your Treatment Working/Will Your Treatment Be Effective?

This question will vary depending on whether your treatment has started or not, but the reason why it is important to be certain about your diagnosis is that it will shape your treatment plan and could potentially mean you need to take a different route.

Is The Cancer Progressing As Expected?

Cancers progress through different stages at slightly different rates based on various factors, but there is usually a predictable rate at which they spread. Some cancers are aggressive, some are relatively slow, and some do not spread at all.

If you are noticing yourself feeling worse more quickly than expected, an urgent second opinion may be necessary.

Do Test Results Support The Cancer Diagnosis?

A cancer diagnosis is typically confirmed and reconfirmed as much as possible to either positively identify a particular type of cancer or rule out any other cause of your symptoms.

These test results are essential, and if there is a lack of clarity surrounding them, it may be worth either having more tests or having these tests interpreted by a specialist.

Explore the Queen Square website to learn more about our advanced diagnostics for cancer, and our second opinion services to help give you peace of mind.