Major Misdiagnosis
Woman's Lung Cancer Mistaken for Asthma
SWNS
By Ashley Neglia
If it weren't for her father Laura Hicks, 20, might not be alive today.
In 2006, Hicks developed a persistent cough and began to have trouble catching her breath. After being diagnosed with asthma, she was sent home from the doctor's office with only antibiotics in tow, reports the Daily Mail. Her father, Stan Hicks, who was familiar with these symptoms from his work as an osteopath, didn't believe the doctors had made the right diagnosis. Because they lived in the United Kingdom and had access to the National Health Service, he was able to send his daughter back to the office with a letter insisting that she receive an X-ray.
The results were startling. Hicks had lung cancer. What's more, two-thirds of her right lung was being overtaken by a tumor. Typically, early stages of lung cancer don't cause any symptoms. However, in an advanced stage such as Hicks', it can cause coughing, wheezing, feeling short of breath and coughing up blood.
As a result of her diagnosis, Hicks underwent six months of chemotherapy and radiation therapy to shrink the tumor, which was then removed along with her lung and two ribs. Thanks to her father's vigilance, she is now cancer-free.
Treatment for lung cancer depends on the type of cancer as well as how much it has spread. Few lung cancers are found in the early stages when treatment is most effective, and only 15 out of every 100 people diagnosed live for five or more years.
Click through the gallery below to learn what you need to know when going to the doctor. Note: You will need to disable your pop-up blocker.
Be a Bad Patient
By Vicki Salemi
When it comes to getting diagnosed by your doctor, being told a specific procedure or treatment needs to be done or being prescribed a specific medication, let's face it: The doctor may not always be correct. Sometimes being a "bad" patient could be the best ammunition needed to forge ahead. Fire your doctor; get several opinions; don't take no for an answer; become relentlessly persistent in finding out the facts. In essence, becoming your own advocate as a patient and being "bad" is downright good.
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Question Things
When it comes to your health, experts say to treat it like managing other aspects of your life says Evan Handler, cancer survivor, Sex and the City star and author of "It's Only Temporary: The Good News and the Bad News of Being Alive." Treat it with care and attention as if you're managing finances or taking care of an automobile. "Most people wouldn't hesitate to decline a restaurant server's suggestions, yet they'd be reluctant to question a doctor's instructions, even if the doctor's conclusions seem illogical. Unfortunately, there's no guarantee that your doctor is better at his or her job than your waiter and waitress are at theirs."
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Do Your Homework
One way to bolster your involvement is to conduct research online or at the library and arrive at the doctor's office prepared with a list of questions. Check that -- endless research and lots of questions. Handler says, "Look up the drugs you're prescribed on sites like Rxlist.com, and read about them before you take them. I've been prescribed medications that I shouldn't have been taking many times. In fact, look everything up. It's almost impossible to know whether you're getting proper treatment or whether you're even getting properly investigated unless you learn a bit yourself. Do you know what an MRI and a CT scan are, that they can sometimes stand in for each other, but that one has much more potential to harm you? If you have one or the other test recommended, you should."
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Get a Second Opinion
Or two. Or more. Dr. Michael Ozner, cardiologist and author of "The Great American Heart Hoax: Lifesaving Advice Your Doctor Should Tell You About Heart Disease Prevention (But Probably Never Will!)," emphasizes that patients should get second opinions and keep the medical industry in mind during the process. "We are not compensated to keep people healthy; we're paid on the number of procedures we do, so if you've asked questions and still don't understand or are still not convinced, by all means go see another physician or two or three. Most doctors comfortable with their recommendation won't have any issues when you ask questions."
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Take Ownership
Become engaged in your own treatments; the results could be worse if you simply rely on instructions without hesitation. "It's often easier, emotionally, to believe that there is someone whose expertise is adequate, superior to your own instincts, and who will take good care of you and protect you from harm. Buck up, be strong, and take responsibility for your own well being and your own self-protection," explains Handler.
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Make Things Happen
To be an engaged participant in your health care, as a patient you should continue to make things better even when told that something can't be done. Handler explains from his own experience, "People say things can't be done all the time, and then they come to be. If you want to maximize your potential to do well, you need to muster the bravery to be a pioneer and to be the one insisting, cajoling, and convincing everyone around you that things can, indeed, improve. And if they still say 'no,' well...then you need to simply walk around them (or over them) and make it happen yourself."
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Watch Out for Numero Uno
Keep in mind the role of physicians. After all, they're human beings with personal responsibilities and yes, they're business people too. "Your well-being might be very important to them, yet still not be their primary concern. One thing is for sure: Your well-being isn't as important to them as it is to you, so you're the one who needs to make sure they're doing a good job," Handler adds.
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Fire Your Doctor
Loren Gelberg-Goff, LCSW in private practice in River Edge, N.J., suggests viewing yourself as the big boss in charge. See yourself as an employer and your health-care providers as your employees. If your doctor isn't giving you proper care or advice, it's perfectly fine to shop around for a new one who will. "Labels make a difference, so if you think of yourself with a more empowered title, you have a greater chance to feel and act assertively and empowered. Since most people become passive and submissive when they become patients, they give up their power and are made to feel bad or wrong when they question their health-care providers."
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Bring an Advocate
"If you have trouble speaking up for yourself, bring an advocate," advises Gelberg-Goff. "This can be a family member, friend or professional who will ask the tough questions and make sure your greater good is the top priority." Whether it's one person or a whole team, it's helpful not only for moral support but to have another voice be heard as well. Handler adds, "It's extremely important to have someone present as much as possible to watch out for your particular needs and interests. They can also often take the brunt of the blame for being demanding, or 'difficult,' so the patient won't be blamed by the staff."
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Create a Sunny Outlook
Catherine M. Pittman, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and psychology professor at Saint Mary's College, says when patients speak up and become their own advocates, it is extremely beneficial for their mental health too. "We tend to feel more anxious when we're not in control. The more sense of control we have can influence the outcome." Overall, a lack of control is related to anxiety and depression, so being immersed in your treatment and recovery will help create a more positive outlook than if you weren't involved.
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Recent Comments
JDNMVV 11:19:13 AM Jul 13 2009
I agree with all of the comments. We are responsible for making sure our doctors are doing their jobs. I also completely agree that this story is a sales pitch for national health care! I would bet a PM firm wrote this story just for that purpose!
Malamer 10:38:58 AM Jul 12 2009
The article is obviously a sales pitch for national heal insurance. She was lucky it only took a chest x ray to diagnose her problem, because her chance of getting CT scan in a system of rationed care would be small. She would much more likely get the CT scan under our system, if she had insurance. National health insurance will only be good for people without insurance. The rest of our insurance will have our insurance diluted.
Gumri 09:01:19 AM Jul 12 2009
Maybe I'm just a little discriminatory but as a Registered Nurse for 35 years, I've seen my share of MISSED Diagnoses. Here's the REAL problem folks. You go to the doc's, you BELIEVE he really cares or even follows up closely with his or her (mostly his though) patients. The bottom line is this, whether it's a medical doc, or a vet for your beloved dog, if you hear the words: "OH, don't worry this is JUST a this or this is JUST a that....hearing the word JUST means, he or she is guessing at your actual diagnosis. Unfortuneately, doctors like HOUSE rarely exist. Diagnosing disease is like playing Chess, it takes a great deal of thought, planning ahead if the treatment they've diagnosed doesn't work, what WOULD they do next. But since most docs don't really care that much about you or as I said, your pet--your best bet is to do what I was taught way back and it's the BEST ADVICE that's cogent in today's world of electronic medical records. YOU read as much as you can about your "symp
Tdu1vme 08:22:57 AM Jul 12 2009
(CONTINUED FROM MY LAST): Read about it here, or put the key words into your Search engine (Google it): http://www.prnewsnow.com/Public_Release/Nutrition/211883.html http://www.drforsythe.com/cw/poly.php http://cancerassistancecenter.org/additional_information.html http://facr.org/pdf/information-packet-updated.pdf http://www.polymva.com/blog-news/75/poly-mva-an-outcome-based-investigation
Tdu1vme 08:13:22 AM Jul 12 2009
A breakthrough therapy to keep in mind, which has not received much attention from the national media, but which reportedly has been very effective with prostate, breast, and lung cancer, among others, is a combination therapy utilizing a nutritional supplement with modified chemotherapy. In fact it has been so successful that the FDA has started the ball rolling to reclassify the nutritional supplement as a drug! The particular type of low dose chemo, coupled with the super antioxidant, Poly-MVA, the FIRST NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT TO BE APPROVED BY THE FDA FOR USE IN A CANCER STUDY, as administered by Dr. James W. Forsythe, M.D., H.M.D., reportedly has been curing a significant number of Stage IV and previously non-responsive (incurable) cancers, and mostly without the side effects associated with standard chemo. Read about it here or put the key words into your Search engine (Google it): http://www.prnewsnow.com/Public_Release/Nutrition/211883.html http://www.drforsythe.com/cw/
Rom7725 06:45:53 AM Jul 12 2009
She spent practically all last summer in the hospital. Thank God he pulled her through with the help of an EXTREMELY excellent team of doctors that performed the surgeries, headed by Drs., David A. Wyatt, David W. Pincus, Michael A. Jantz, and a slew of other very dedicated medical professionals! My daughter is doing much better now, however, she still finds it somewhat taxing to exert herself too much. But praise God, she's still here! So to the Hicks family, specifically Laura, I thank God you were finally diagnosed and doing better! All the best!
Rom7725 06:14:45 AM Jul 12 2009
To the Hicks Family; thank God Mr. Hicks was vigilant! As I read this story, I practically held my breath! My daughter whose now 19, was told that she had asthma for about two years, only to find that what she actually had was a rare tumor called a chordoma. We went to the ER one wknd and by the grace of God, there happened to be a doctor that was pretty knowledgeable about this condition, as seemingly not many of the doctors were. He was an angel sent by God, as previously I'd asked another doctor to take an x-ray, and he said that he didn't think she needed one. The ER doctor called in a Cardio-Thoracic Surgeon, Dr. Eric Sandwith, who informed us that the tumor was very serious, and that she had to be medivacted that night, she was not allowed to come back home. She could hardly breathe, it hurt to talk or walk. She went straightaway to The Univ. of Florida Hosp., Gainesville. The tumor was lodged in such a way behind her lung, that it actually took 3 surgeries in 2 wks. She spent pr
HntrsRn1 06:03:41 AM Jul 12 2009
"Greed" all around is the obvious victor here. Its very sad in a country like the US that its own people should be in this position. Its seems and injustice that an old couple works their lives hard only to lose everything to medical costs. Not much the golden years if you ask me. Disabled people that struggle in a difficult way to begin with are now being used for profit under the table from every direction. The Doctors over charge, The hospital over charges, The drug company over charges, etc. Its all about the almighty profit. To everything there is a season.......and this season is greed, no compassion. The worship of money still can not buy happiness, health, and or Love. Maybe socialized isn't the way to go but there is no doubt that something needs to be done for all across the board.
petesgirl1955204 05:32:48 AM Jul 12 2009
I work and my health care has changed as with who owns Sugarloaf. I can not afford the Health Insurance that the company has. But I have to have coverage so my daughter can go to college and my husband has his meds for his back. When is health coverage going to stablize. I work and can't afford it.
CGO01 05:27:03 AM Jul 12 2009
National Health Care Stinks. I have friends from Canada, Venezula, Mexico,Russia, and Germany. You are not in charge of your health. You are at the mercy of the medical staff. You may have to be on a waiting list for months, maybe years for certain treatments. If you are old, you may never receive treatement because someone younger needs it. Wake up, take care of your health today! Don't have sex until you can afford children, Get educated, find a job, take job training, go to college. Be self sufficient and you won't be dependent on someone else.
