Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers: Cancer-Surviving Model Lucky to be Alive

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For more than two years, Mayday suffered extreme abdominal and lower back pain. After multiple trips to the emergency room, doctors repeatedly brushed her off, sending her away without a diagnosis and telling her she had nothing to worry about. On more than one occasion, doctors told the model that her weight was to blame for her pain. She was given prescriptions for painkillers and told she needed to exercise more to tone up her core.

Mayday continued to persist. Finally, a doctor performed a CT scan that showed a cyst on one of her ovaries. A few days later, the 27-year-old was told she had stage three ovarian cancer. She began treatment immediately, undergoing three months of chemotherapy and four operations, including a hysterectomy. Mayday continued to pursue her career throughout her ordeal, even after losing all of her hair to chemotherapy. Now in remission, she is focusing her efforts on helping other women recognize the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and encouraging them to act on their own instincts.

Ovarian Cancer Symptoms Should Not be Ignored

Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death among women and is the deadliest gynecologic cancer. Symptoms often do not become severe until after the cancer has spread beyond the ovaries. However, even early stage ovarian cancer can cause symptoms that may include:

  • Abdominal bloating, with or without weight loss
  • Pelvic, abdominal or back pain
  • Upset stomach, trouble eating or feeling full quickly
  • Urinary symptoms including frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  • Fatigue
  • Menstrual changes

When it is Time for a Second Opinion

Many of the above symptoms are also caused by common, less serious conditions or by cancers of other organs. However, symptoms that are persistent or become progressively more frequent or severe should be addressed as early as possible, preferably by a gynecologist. Doctors should carefully review patients’ medical history and look for possible risk factors including:

  • Family history of ovarian cancer, breast cancer or colorectal cancer
  • Body mass index of 30 or higher
  • Use of the fertility drug clomiphene citrate (Clomid) for longer than one year
  • Possible exposure to male hormones through Danazol, a drug that increases androgen levels
  • Use of talcum powder – a possible carcinogenic to the ovaries

Ovarian cancer can be very difficult to diagnosis, and there are currently no recommended tests to screen for the disease. The two tests most often used to screen for ovarian cancer are transvaginal ultrasound and the CA-125 blood test. Unfortunately though, these tests are often not reliable. A definitive diagnosis of ovarian cancer usually requires a surgical biopsy of the ovary. Women experiencing persistent symptoms are encouraged to speak up for themselves, and if one doctor cannot provide a reasonable answer, find one who will.

Maryland Medical Misdiagnosis Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Fight for Families Devastated by Medical Negligence

The five year survival rate for ovarian cancer is only 45.6%. Early diagnosis and proper treatment is key to beating the odds. If you believe medical negligence may have led to a failure to diagnose or a delayed diagnosis of ovarian cancer, or if you think that your cancer was caused by using talcum powder or hormonal drugs, contact Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton today. We will review your case for free to determine if you should pursue a medical malpractice or product liability lawsuit. Call 800-547-4LAW (4529) today to arrange your free consultation or submit an online contact form.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie and Towson, allowing us to represent clients and their families throughout Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Parkville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood and Elkridge.