Womb Cancer

If you feel that your diagnosis has been delayed or that your treatment has been inappropriate, you may be entitled to bring about a claim. The team at Oakwood Solicitors Ltd will be able to give you free advice on the prospects of your case and whether you would be eligible to make a claim.

The victim of the negligence can bring about a claim in their own right. However, it is often sadly the case that the victim is either unable to bring about a claim or has sadly passed away.

In such circumstances, a claim can be brought about on their behalf either by an appropriate person or friend if the victim is still with us, or by the executor of the estate of a surviving dependant if the victim has passed.

Our specialist team will be able to discuss whether you have a right to bring about a claim, so if you or a loved one has been affected, do not hesitate to contact us.

Claims of this nature are subject to a three year limitation period. This means claims must be commenced within the courts in three years of either the date the negligent act occurred or the date you became aware that negligence had occurred.

In cases involving deceased victims, this limitation period commences from the date of death, and in cases involving minors, the limitation period starts when they reach their 18^th birthday.

The law surrounding limitation periods is complex – our specialist team will be able to advise further.

Given the complexities involved in pursuing a clinical negligence claim, they can often take 18-24 months to conclude and longer if court proceedings have to be issued.

Our investigations start by obtaining all relevant records and protocols before approaching independent medical experts for their opinion. We will provide you with regular updates on the progress of your case to ensure that you are kept up to speed.

It is often difficult to value clinical negligence claims at their outset, given the complexities involved. However, we will pursue two forms of compensation for you:

The majority of clinical negligence cases are funded by a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), more commonly known as a ‘no-win, no-fee’ agreement. This means that there will be nothing to pay upfront and nothing to pay if the claim has been lost. If you are successful in your claim, a deduction of 25% of damages will be taken to cover the success fee and the shortfall in legal fees.

It may also be the case that an After The Event (ATE) insurance policy will be obtained to cover the costs of expensive medical reports and investigations. If an ATE insurance policy has to be obtained the cost of the same will be discussed with you at the appropriate point. The cost of the ATE insurance policy is again taken from your damages and only payable if you are successful with your claim.

We have a dedicated team of solicitors and paralegals who have many years’ experience between them in running cases of this nature. They are highly trained to deal with all aspects of clinical negligence.

We want to ensure that clients are not overwhelmed by legal jargon, medical terms that they don’t understand and aim to allow the claims procedure to be as transparent as possible.

For example cases and settlements that we’ve successfully handled, read this article.

Womb cancer is a type of reproductive cancer. Other reproductive cancers include ovarian cancer and cervical cancer.

Most womb cancers develop in the lining of the womb (the endometrium), however, some develop in the muscle wall of the womb.

• Womb cancer is the 4^th most common cancer in women in the UK
• Womb cancer is more common in women who have been through the menopause
• Womb cancer is often diagnosed early
• 90% of womb cancers are picked up because of post-menopausal or irregular vaginal bleeding

There is no specific cause for womb cancer. However, it should be noted the chance of suffering from womb cancer increases in the following instances:

• High levels of oestrogen in your body (obesity can cause levels of oestrogen in your body to be high as well as being post-menopausal)
• Long-term use of a specific breast cancer drug
• Not had a child
• High levels of insulin in your body
• Suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Suffer from endometrial hyperplasia.

Symptoms of womb cancer include:

• Vaginal bleeding that is unusual for you (e.g. bleeding after the menopause, bleeding in between periods and heavier periods than usual)
• Pain during sex
• Pain in your stomach
• Watery or bloody vaginal discharge

As well as the above, symptoms of more advanced womb cancer include:

• Nausea
• Pain in your back, pelvis, or legs
• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite

You should attend your GP when you are experiencing abnormal vaginal bleeding. On attendance, the GP will discuss your symptoms with you and will complete a physical examination.

The GP may refer you to have an appointment with a Gynaecologist, who may complete the following:

• Blood and urine tests
• An internal vaginal examination
• Transvaginal ultrasound scan
• Hysteroscopy.
• Biopsy.

If diagnosed, the cancer will be staged depending on how far it has spread. Tests to assist with this include:

• X-ray.
• MRI scan.
• CT scan.
• PET/CT scan.

The primary treatment for womb cancer is a hysterectomy (removal of the womb), which usually also includes the removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Depending on the stage and grade of the cancer, radiotherapy or chemotherapy is subsequently commenced.

If you are pre-menopausal – under certain circumstances, rather than have a hysterectomy, you may be able to undergo hormone therapy as treatment.

For cancer which is advanced, chemotherapy is the primary treatment, which aims to shrink the cancer.

Macmillan Cancer Support

Cancer Research UK