Thanks for reading ahead of time. I need advice on the best steps to take going forward regarding a breach of standard of care by a doctor. Three years ago I was explicitly told a diagnostic mammogram would not be ordered for me because I was too young, despite a concerning area being new and unable to tie it to my cycle since that was suppressed at the time. I also ticked more than a couple mild risk factor boxes but was told those didn’t matter. 2.5 years later I reached my OOP max due to other circumstances and decided to pursue the preventative exam for peace of mind. Lo and behold cancer is found in that exact spot. Fortunately the preliminary pathology has shown slow growth despite HER2 positivity and there isn’t any apparent lymph node involvement. That might change after surgery is able to examine the whole tumors, but I’m in neoadjuvant chemo right now.

I understand that medical malpractice is hard to win and has a high cost to pursue, but I want to make sure that what happened to me doesn’t disappear and hopefully will follow this doctor for the rest of their career. I know I could complain to their hospital and the medical board, but is there something else I should be doing to make sure this Dr’s dismissive attitude doesn’t get swept under the rug? They might’ve killed me had my other medical issues not presented the opportunity for a preventative exam.

Alternatively, does it actually look like I have a case worth pursuing? Because I know that will definitely follow them.