What is Cancer? Normal body cells grow, divide and die in an orderly fashion throughout life but when a disruption to this normal cycle occurs and abnormal cells begin to grow out of control cancers develop.
Cancer (malignant) cells develop because of damage to the DNA, the genetic substance directing all the activities of the cells. Most of the time when DNA becomes damaged the body is able to repair it but in cancer cells it is not repaired. This damage is often caused by exposure to something in the environment, such as smoking. Cancer cells are characterised by their ability to travel to other parts of the body via the blood stream and lymph vessels where they begin to grow and replace normal tissue; a process called metastasis.
Some cancers closely resemble the cell type of the tissues from which they arise (well differentiated) and others show little resemblance to the tissue of origin (undifferentiated). The latter are generally of increased malignancy with a greater tendency to metastasise. Most, although not all, cancers form tumours but not all tumours are cancerous. Benign (non malignant) tumours never spread to other parts of the body and, with very rare exceptions, are not life threatening.
For three quarters of their life span most cancers insidiously increase in size without any symptoms and in general the larger the tumour the greater the possibility of metastatic spread. Most medico-legal cases involving cancer arise from a delay in diagnosis, which often affects prognosis, especially if the delay has allowed the cancer time to metastasise. However, metastases can occur very early when a primary tumour is so small it is clinically undetectable, and in such cases a claim will not arise from a delayed diagnosis.
JMW Solicitors have one of the most experienced and respected medical and clinical negligence compensation claims teams in the UK. We are able to deal with cases using public funding (formerly Legal Aid) or No Win No Fee in appropriate cases. If after talking to us you decide not to take matters further you are under no obligation to do so and you will not be charged for our initial advice session.
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