Skin cancer is incredibly common in America. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, it is the most common type of cancer people experience. They estimate that it will affect roughly 20% of Americans or one out of every five people. Every day, nearly 10,000 people receive a skin cancer diagnosis.
That being said, skin cancer is often mistaken for other conditions. This can lead to a highly detrimental delayed diagnosis, where the patient doesn’t receive treatment for their cancer because their doctor believes they’re suffering from a less serious condition. Let’s look at a couple of examples.
Common moles
Many people have benign moles that will never cause health problems. However, melanoma can often resemble a mole, so a doctor may dismiss it as harmless when it is actually a cancerous growth. One key warning sign is if the mole is asymmetrical or atypical. It’s also important to monitor moles to see if they are growing or changing over time.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin condition and autoimmune disorder. Cells designed to combat disease and infection begin targeting healthy skin cells, leading to red patches that are cracked and dry, often with silvery scales. This patchy, scaly appearance is also very similar to certain types of skin cancer, like squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which psoriasis treatments will not address.
Have you received a delayed diagnosis?
These are just two common examples, but there are many other skin conditions to consider, from something as simple as warts or acne to more complex issues. If your dermatologist misdiagnoses cancer as a benign skin condition, it could delay treatment and cause severe harm. Be sure you understand what legal steps to take.
