Quick answers
This page explains common legal issues in missed or delayed bowel cancer diagnosis. It is general information only.
When bowel cancer delay may justify investigation
Potential claims may involve repeated GP attendances, symptoms being treated as benign without review, delayed urgent referral, abnormal blood tests not being acted on, or delay in arranging colonoscopy, CT imaging or specialist review.
Red flags and abnormal results
Symptoms such as rectal bleeding, persistent change in bowel habit, unexplained iron deficiency anaemia, weight loss or abdominal pain may require careful assessment. Abnormal blood results or positive bowel screening results should be followed up appropriately.
Hospital and diagnostic delays
The issue may arise after referral as well as in primary care. Delayed triage, delayed colonoscopy, failure to biopsy, imaging errors or delayed communication of results may all need review.
Causation in bowel cancer claims
The central question is whether earlier diagnosis would probably have led to earlier treatment and a better outcome, such as less extensive surgery, different oncological treatment, reduced recurrence risk or improved prognosis.
Evidence needed
Key documents include GP notes, referral records, bowel screening records, blood tests, colonoscopy reports, CT or MRI reports, pathology, MDT notes and oncology treatment plans.
Sources used
This page is informed by NICE suspected cancer recognition and referral guidance and NHS cancer information. See NICE: Suspected cancer: recognition and referral and NHS: Cancer.