
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, July 9, 1990                   TAG: 9007090022
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Medium

LAX DIAGNOSIS OF CANCERS CITED

Physicians need to act more aggressively on the initial complaints of women - especially younger women - who find lumps in their breasts, a study of breast cancer malpractice claims and lawsuits indicates.

The study by the Physician Insurers Association of America found that in 69 percent of cases where claims were paid because breast cancer diagnosis was delayed, the patient had discovered the lump.

"The physician needs to be impressed by such findings and order follow-up studies," said the report.

"This study indicates that self-discovery often may be ignored, especially in younger women where the incidence of malignancy is thought to be less than in older women" and is more difficult to detect, the study said.

The study reviewed 273 paid claims reported by 21 member companies of the association. All of the cases involved a delay in diagnosis of breast cancer.

Women with breast cancer have best chances of surviving when it is discovered and treated in its earliest stages.

The study, released at the association's annual meeting in May, was discussed by members of the study committee in telephone interviews last week.

Though breast cancer is more common among older women, the study indicates that delayed diagnosis in younger women results in the majority of lawsuits. Nearly 70 percent of the cases involved women under age 50, and 40 percent were filed by women under 40.

The most common reason for delay in diagnosis was that "the physical findings at examination failed to impress the physician," the report said. This was the case for 55 percent of the women.

The second most common reason, found in 35 percent of cases, was that mammogram reports were negative. In 14 percent, mammograms were inconclusive.

The study suggests that a biopsy follow any suspicious findings.

The study also found that family history was unknown in 37 percent of the cases, though women with a family history of breast cancer are at higher risk of getting the disease themselves.

The study stressed the importance of self-examination by women, thorough examinations by a physician and regular mammograms.

The American Cancer Society recommends a mammogram for women at around age 35 and regular mammograms every one or two years beginning at age 40 and annually after age 50.

by CNB