What I’ve Been Reading: Risks for Gynecological Cancer and What Every Woman Should Know.  Michele Mirman, Esq.

Michele Mirman | Medical Malpractice | September 12, 2025

I’ve been reading about risks for gynecological cancer and realized how important it is to share this information, which is not apparent, and for all of us to be informed—not just about prevention, but also about what to do when medical negligence causes harm. From cervical and ovarian to uterine cancer, knowing the signs can save lives, and failing to act on them can be devastating. 

Understanding Common Gynecological Cancers Every Woman Should Know

The Five Main Types — What You Need to Watch For

Gynecological cancers affect the female reproductive organs and include cervical, ovarian, uterine (endometrial), vaginal, and vulvar cancer. A sixth rare type, fallopian tube cancer, also exists. 

Early symptoms can include one or more—abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain, changes in discharge, and urinary changes. If your healthcare professional acts immediately when these symptoms occur, your outcome is dramatically improved.

The Silent Killers — Ovarian and Uterine Cancer on the Rise

Ovarian cancer is often dubbed a “silent killer” and is disproportionately lethal due to late detection. Early-stage diagnosis offers a survival rate over 90%; yet, most cases are found at advanced stages. Ovarian cancer can have vague symptoms that overlap with other conditions. Some common signs and symptoms include bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, urinary and bowel changes, menstrual irregularities or postmenopausal bleeding. It is especially critical to seek medical care if there is a family history of ovarian or breast cancer, early or late menopause, BRCA gene mutations, or endometriosis.  

Uterine (endometrial) cancer is increasing—cases and related deaths have been rising annually, with higher risk among obese women, hormonal imbalances, and certain chemical exposures.

Cervical Cancer — Prevention Through Screening and HPV Vaccine

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women, and it is almost always caused by HPV infection. Cervical cancer, however, can be preventable with regular Pap tests, HPV testing, and vaccination. HPV vaccination is recommended for all girls—especially if given before sexual activity.

Reducing Risk — Prevention and Early Detection Strategies

Vaccinations, Screenings, and Lifestyle Changes

Preventing gynecological cancer begins with a healthcare routine. 

• HPV vaccination: Effective at preventing cervical and some other gynecological cancers.
• Regular Pap and HPV screening: Detects precancerous changes early.
• Lifestyle choices: Maintaining a healthy weight, managing chronic conditions (like diabetes), and avoiding tobacco use can reduce risk factors for cancers like endometrial and ovarian.
• Knowing your body and seeking immediate professional medical care when you find unusual changes.
  

Know the Red-Flag Symptoms

We often delay seeking help due to embarrassment or misunderstanding, but understanding warning signs—unusual bleeding, pelvic pain, bloating, changes in bodily functions—and overcoming our embarrassment is vital for early intervention.

When Prevention Isn’t Enough: Medical Negligence and Your Legal Rights

Even with preventive steps, doctors make mistakes. Unfortunately, male doctors still dismiss and ignore women’s complaints and chalk them up to psychological problems. Don’t let this happen to you. If your doctor is not heeding your complaints, examining you, referring you, having appropriate tests done, seek other care. Misdiagnoses, delayed treatment, or a doctor’s failure to refer can allow cancer to progress unchecked.  That’s where legal accountability matters.

• Misreading a Pap smear—leading to delayed cervical cancer diagnosis—is a sadly common form of negligence.
  
• Failure to diagnose cancer, or misinterpreting or ignoring symptoms, or failing to test or treat can also be grounds for medical malpractice claims.
  
• When medical professionals fail in their duty of care—failing to test, refer, or inform—and a woman ends up with more advanced or untreatable cancer as a result, she is entitled to compensation to address the resulting harm.

How Long Do I Have to File a Failure to Treat or Diagnose Cancer Lawsuit in NYC?

Navigating deadlines in medical malpractice cases, especially involving cancer misdiagnosis, can be complex—but it’s crucial to act promptly. Here’s what you need to know under current New York law:

Standard Timeframe for Medical Malpractice Claims

In New York, the general deadline for filing a medical malpractice lawsuit—including cancer misdiagnoses—is 2½ years (30 months) from the date the negligent act occurred or from the last treatment date, if continuous care was provided. 

Continuous Treatment Doctrine

If you remained under treatment for the same condition, the statute may not begin until that care ends—thanks to the continuous treatment doctrine. Courts have refined this doctrine to require the care be ongoing and directly related to the original negligence alleged.

Special Rule for Cancer Misdiagnosis — Lavern’s Law

A significant update under Lavern’s Law helps cancer misdiagnosis victims:

• The 2½-year clock now starts from the date “discovery” occurs—that is, when you–the patient—knew or reasonably should have known about the misdiagnosis.
  
• You still must file your claim within seven years of the malpractice event itself.

How Michele Mirman and Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C. Can Help When Cancer Care Goes Wrong

We understand that a cancer diagnosis—especially when delayed or mismanaged—can be devastating. We, as experienced NYC medical malpractice lawyers, are committed to helping women seek justice when medical care has failed.

• We offer a free, confidential case consultation to discuss your situation and options.
  
• We aim to hold negligent professionals accountable—and ensure your future and your medical needs are supported.
  

Cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar cancers affect thousands of women each year—and every woman deserves the knowledge and tools to safeguard her health. Prevention through vaccination, screening, and healthy habits is critical. But when a preventable mistake leads to serious harm, legal recourse is available. 

If you or a loved one has experienced medical lapses related to gynecological cancer, reach out to me. Michele Mirman and  Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C. at 212-227-4000. You deserve care, clarity, and justice.