Cervical cancer is supposed to be caught by regular Pap smears. However, some women have developed this deadly form of cancer despite negative test results. A false negative result could be a sign of negligence on the part of the medical lab that handled the Pap smear.

Some women who have undergone Pap smears yet still developed cervical cancer have filed a misdiagnosis lawsuit to help them gain financial relief from hospital bills and lost wages.

Pap smear tests are designed to help detect early signs of cervical cancer. During a Pap smear test, cells of the cervix are lightly scraped away and tested for signs of cancer. It is only mildly uncomfortable and can be done in the comfort of a doctor’s office.

All women, even healthy women, should get regular Pap smear tests. Pap smear tests, if returned with an abnormality, can help women find early treatment for cervical cancer if present.

The cells that are collected during a Pap smear are looked at under a microscope to look for cancerous cells as well as pre-cancerous changes in cells that might occur. If an abnormal test is returned, more tests might be ordered by a physician such as a colonoscopy, endocervical scraping as well as cone biopsies.

Over the past several years, the guidelines for Pap smears have relaxed. In the past, the American Cancer Society recommended that women over the age of 18 get regular Pap smears to test for cervical cancer or precancerous changes. Now, the American Cancer Society recommends that women who have had normal results for their Pap smear tests in the past may not need to get such regular tests.

For women aged 21-29, it is recommended that a Pap smear test be performed every three years. For women aged 30 to 65, the test should happen every five years along with and HPV test.

But even with regular results and regular Pap smear tests, some women may still develop cervical cancer. These women have begun to hold medical labs and doctors responsible for missing cervical cancer diagnoses by filing a cervical cancer misdiagnosis lawsuit.

According to the American Cancer Society, this year alone, it is estimated that over 13,000 cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. Additionally, over 4,000 women will die from this form of cancer.

For all women with cervical cancer, the five-year survival rate is 68%. This means that among all demographics and diagnosis dates, 68% percent of these women will survive five years.

But Cancer.net reports that when diagnosed early, most women have a good chance at survival.

If it is diagnosed early, perhaps with the help of a Pap smear test, the five year survival rate for cervical cancer is 91%. Nearly half of all cervical cancer diagnoses are at an early stage, giving many women a good chance at survival.

But what happens if a Pap smear test is misread by lab technicians or doctors or if a lab or doctor misses a possible diagnosis? The American Cancer Society says that although a Pap smear test helps in cervical cancer screening, it is not perfect.

Filing a Cervical Cancer Misdiagnosis Lawsuit

There have been instances of a woman being told she has a clear Pap smear result and then returns a few years later, only to be diagnosed Stage 3 or 4 cervical cancer. Women like this may meet the criteria to file a cervical cancer misdiagnosis lawsuit.

If you or someone you love has had a normal Pap smear test result but was diagnosed with cervical cancer, you may be able to file a cervical cancer misdiagnosis lawsuit.