GP’s Failure To Action Abnormal PSA Result Led to Delay Diagnosing Prostate Cancer
The Injury
Our client saw his GP in July and had a routine PSA test. The result of the test was abnormal, but our client was not contacted by his GP and was not informed. Our client did not have any urinary symptoms, or other symptoms that are common to prostate cancer, so he was completely unaware of any issue.
Two years later, in April, our client saw a different GP who requested another PSA test. The result was worse than 2 years earlier. Our client was referred to hospital for more tests, and he was later told that he had prostate cancer.
The cancer had spread outside the prostate, so our client could not have surgery. He had chemotherapy and then radiotherapy. The treatment took around a year to complete after he was diagnosed.
It was not possible to cure the cancer because it had already spread. Our client’s life expectancy has been significantly shortened because of the delay in diagnosing the cancer.
Our client instructed us to investigate a claim for medical negligence against his GP for the failure to action the first abnormal PSA test.
Represented by Gemma Lewis, a Specialist Medical Negligence Solicitor at MDS, the Defendant GP admitted liability in full, and the case was settled after negotiations with the Defendant.
Gemma said - “This is an extremely sad case of a simple mistake by a GP costing someone years of their life just at the time when they should have been getting ready to start to wind down, relax and enjoy their retirement. There is no national screening for prostate cancer, so it is vital that when there is an abnormal PSA result, it is acted upon before the cancer can spread and have an impact on life expectancy”.
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What Happened To Our Client?
Our client was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer after a delay in diagnosis of almost 2 years. At the time of the diagnosis, he was self-employed and ran his own business.
He had to give up his business after he had undergone treatment for prostate cancer because he was too unwell. If there had been no delay in diagnosis, he would have been well enough after treatment to have carried on working for himself.
Our client was referred to the urology department for more tests after the second abnormal PSA test, and this is when he was told that he should have been referred 2 years earlier after the first abnormal result. Investigations confirmed that the cancer had metastasised into one of the vertebrae in our client’s spine.
Hormone treatment was started shortly after the urology appointment. He then had chemotherapy for 5 months following shortly after by radiotherapy for 2 months. The treatment caused our client to suffer nasty side effects, including bleeding from the rectum, nausea, anxiety, extreme fatigue, and erectile dysfunction.
Our client was told that the cancer was incurable.
Four years after the diagnosis, a scan identified that the cancer had returned and was present in a different vertebra in his spine, and 18 months later another metastatic lesion was identified in his sternum. He had radiotherapy to treat both metastatic lesions. His hormone treatment was also changed.
The cancer remained stable and his PSA stayed under control for the next few years. When the PSA started to rise because the cancer was growing again, our client’s treatment was changed to control it.
Eventually, it will not be possible to control the growth of the cancer, and our client will sadly die from the disease.
Concerned about a delay in diagnosis of prostate cancer?
How can MDS help you?
While no amount of compensation will ever be enough for your or a family member’s suffering or loss, if you or a loved one has been affected by healthcare negligence, we can help you through the legal process for investigating your concerns against a healthcare professional and your negligence claim if there is one.
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The Outcome
We were instructed to investigate a claim for medical negligence on our client's behalf.
We obtained expert evidence from a GP, who confirmed that the first abnormal PSA test should have triggered a referral to hospital for more tests.
An oncology expert confirmed that if there had been no delay in diagnosis, the cancer would have been treated, and our client would have had a normal life expectancy.
We calculated the value of our client’s claim, which included compensation for lost years due to his reduced life expectancy because of the delay in diagnosis.
A settlement amount was agreed with the Defendant after negotiations.
If you or a family member has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, you can get support from the following charities:
Disclaimer
Whilst our case studies are designed to give an indication of the outcomes that can be achieved in these circumstances, the compensation awarded in individual cases can vary significantly due to a range of factors, including the severity of injury, effects on life expectancy and financial impact, for example. For more information, contact us today.
Our Approach
We will support you, guide you and be your voice throughout.
If you are concerned about the medical treatment that you or a loved one has received, please contact us and one of our specialist team will assist you.
