Q: How is it possible that a longtime diabetes patient have cancer for a year and no one knew even with blood draws?
A:
Blood testing is very specific. Routine blood tests for a diabetic have the primary purpose of determining a blood sugar level. It is entirely reasonable that an entirely unrelated disease like cancer would only be identified in something akin to an annual checkup or in response to specific complaints that could not be related to diabetes.
It would be prohibitively expensive and unconscionably wasteful to run every conceivable blood test, on any regular basis. I'm sure it is no solace if the individual who was diagnosed with cancer is a friend or family member but hopefully this will help you to understand how such a condition could go undiagnosed for so long a period of time.
Tim Akpinar agrees with this answer
A: One possibility is that the medical provider was not screening for cancer. They and the lab that handles their bloodwork have protocols they need to follow - based on the scope of the physician's examination, diagnosis, medical coding, plausible test parameters, and insurance carrier fee schedules. I'm sorry the setting resulted in the cancer not being discovered. These are only some general considerations, based on the brief post. An attorney could advise more definitively upon seeing the file and being able to consult with a medical colleague for their input. Good luck
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
