Clinical AdvisorNurse Practitioner Found Liable for Failing to Diagnose Breast Cancer

Read the original article

A recent medical malpractice case resulted in an $18 million verdict against a nurse practitioner who failed to diagnose breast cancer in a 22-year-old patient. Despite following ACOG guidelines, which don’t mandate imaging for women under 30, the jury found the NP’s documentation and follow-up care fell below the standard of care, highlighting critical considerations in young patient breast cancer assessment.

Key Points:

• A 22-year-old registered nurse presented with a self-detected breast lump, received two breast examinations from an NP two weeks apart, with only “fibrocystic changes” documented
• Eight months later, the patient saw an OB/GYN presenting with breast changes including size difference, intermittent burning, skin itching, and indentation
• Diagnosis revealed Stage IIB breast cancer with a 4cm primary tumor and lymph node involvement, requiring bilateral mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation
• The NP’s defense cited ACOG guidelines and proper examination technique, but was criticized for inadequate documentation and failure to order baseline imaging
• The jury deliberated for just 2 hours before awarding the patient $18 million in damages

Although breast cancer incidence in younger women is still low—about 49 per 100,000 in 2019, the most recent data available—it’s a deeply concerning trend, especially since women under 40 are nearly 40 percent more likely to die from their breast cancer than women over 40. (BCRF)

More in Risk Management