Dear IMO,

My father recently died.  He had prostate cancer.  Although my sisters, my mother and I were prepared for his death, we have some questions regarding the medical treatment he received.  Or should I say the treatment he did not receive.  We believe that his doctor was negligent in his duty to detect the cancer.  There were signs and symptoms that the doctor failed to detect or perhaps ignored.  For example, cancer specialists will biopsy eight sites for prostate cancer.  In fact we have spoken to some in the medical field who have performed as many as twelve to insure the best diagnosis for a patient.   Dad’s doctor performed just six well below the normal of eight prescribed by the medical profession.    

While Dad was still alive, we asked him if he would like to pursue legal means against his doctor for failing to detect the cancer in its early stages.  He vehemently opposed such action.  We feel that our Dad died unnecessarily because of a doctor’s negligence.    My family and I lie awake at night wondering what if the doctor had performed the eight biopsies.  Would Dad still be alive?  What course of action could we take to see if his doctor was at fault?

Susan

Dear Susan,

I have great respect for the medical profession.  Thousands of men and women have dedicated their lives in providing the best medical care for the people in this country.  Unfortunately, there are a few who do not perform at their very best.  They grow tired, become cynical or are just plain lazy.  These few “rotten apples” can give the entire profession a bad reputation.

In your father’s case, I think you have a right to know whether or not the doctor in question followed proper protocol and procedures regarding the biopsy.  You should contact the New York State Department of Health and ask them to launch an investigation into the matter.  If there was any negligence in your father’s diagnosis, then the State will find it, and demand that the doctor provide a plan of correction.  If he fails to do so, he may have his license to practice medicine suspended or even revoked.  There may be criminal penalties or fines depending upon the severity of the findings. 

If there is no negligence involved, then you will know that the doctor performed his duties at an acceptable level of competency.   In either case, the conclusions will bring you and your family closure and some peace in this very stressful and difficult situation.  When this issue is resolved, you will be able to focus your energy on the death of your father and the grief that accompanies the loss of a loved one.  You owe this to yourselves and to any future patients this doctor may examine. 

If you need advice please email your question to IMO at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . 
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