Diagnostic errors can occur for a variety of reasons:
- Failure to Recognize Symptoms: Some cancers have vague or non-specific symptoms that can be easily overlooked. - Errors in Testing: Incorrect or incomplete laboratory tests, imaging errors, and biopsy mistakes can all contribute to diagnostic errors. - Communication Failures: Miscommunication between healthcare providers, or between providers and patients, can result in missed or misunderstood information. - Cognitive Biases: Healthcare providers may have biases that lead them to overlook or misinterpret symptoms. - Systemic Issues: Inadequate access to advanced diagnostic tools, overburdened healthcare systems, and lack of coordination among specialists can also play a role.
