MDU study highlights delays in diagnosis of ovarian cancer

Posted: 13/04/2012

To mark Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, the Medical Defence Union (MDU), a medical defence organisation representing over half of UK doctors, has published the results of its study into delays in diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

The MDU said that it recognises that ovarian cancer ‘can pose a significant diagnostic challenge. Patients with ovarian cancer have been mistakenly thought to have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diverticulitis and anaemia, before their condition was diagnosed.’

The study looked at ovarian cancer related complaints and claims reported to the MDU by its members in a nine year period, between 2002 and 2011. It found that there was an alleged delay in diagnosis of the disease in 84% of these cases. The majority involved incorrect diagnosis; other problems included referral delays and failure to exclude the possibility of ovarian cancer in patients with a family history of the disease. Out of the total of 209 complaints and claims received by the MDU which involved ovarian cancer, 71 led to claims. Of these, 15 claims are ongoing and eight claims had settled for sums ranging from just over £9,000 to £550,000. Delayed diagnosis of ovarian cancer was responsible for seven of the settled claims.

Early diagnosis of ovarian cancer is vital; if found in the early stages, up to 90% of women will survive for more than five years. However, most UK women are not diagnosed until after the cancer has spread, when survival rates are lower.

Return to news headlines