All across Ohio doctors advocate that their female patients conduct a monthly self-breast exam. One mother of three was diligent about her exams and was rightfully concerned when she discovered a small bump during one of her self-exams. The radiologist that examined her mammogram reported that the small bump was no cause for worry because it was only a clogged milk duct.

Over a year later, the lump was not only still present, it had grown. The mother of three returned to the doctor and was delivered devastating news. Not only did she have cancer but worse yet, the cancer already spread to her lymph nodes. This diagnosis meant that the woman, who did exactly as she was supposed to do, went over a year without treatment due to a doctor error.

After aggressive treatment including a mastectomy, radiation and chemotherapy, the mother's odds of survival are still questionable. This mother's life was riding on the diagnosis of the radiologist. If the doctor detected the cancer when the mother initially sought consultation, there is a chance the cancer would not have spread to her lymph nodes and the mother would currently maintain a more promising prognosis.

As the situation stands, three children are in danger of losing their mother to something that could have been prevented. As such, a jury determined that this mother and her family were entitled to compensation. The victim of this doctor's error has been awarded a $15 million medical malpractice award as a result of her radiologist's failure to diagnose her breast cancer in a timely manner.

Source: Injury Board, "Doctor's Failure to Diagnosis Breast Cancer Leads to $15M Malpractice Award," Richard N. Shapiro, March 28, 2012