Can I Claim Compensation for Pancreatic Cancer Misdiagnosis?

If you’ve developed any of these symptoms, it’s important that you visit your GP and share your concerns. It may be that your symptoms are linked to an inflammatory bowel disease such as pancreatitis rather than pancreatic cancer, but your doctor should carry out blood and urine tests to confirm this.   

If they think your condition needs to be investigated further, your doctor should refer you to see a specialist in hospital for additional tests. If they fail to do this, it could lead to your condition worsening and treatment becoming less effective.

Why is Early Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer so Important?

As with most cancer diagnoses, the earlier treatment can begin, the more successful the outcome will be in terms of how long you’re able to live with your diagnosis.  

When a diagnosis is delayed, the process for accessing surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy is also slowed down. In the UK, 7 in 10 people with pancreatic cancer will not receive any active treatment. This is largely due to the fact that most people are diagnosed at a late stage when treatment may no longer have its intended effect.

As well as impacting survival rates, misdiagnosis or late diagnosis can also result in symptoms worsening and affecting a patient’s immediate quality of life.

In the worst cases, when a diagnosis isn’t given for pancreatic cancer, or someone is misdiagnosed, their condition can manifest into diabetes, indigestion and unexplained blood clots.

If you’ve been misdiagnosed or received a late diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, and your condition has worsened as a result, you could be entitled to support and compensation.