When You Feel Your Concerns Weren’t Taken Seriously by Medical Professionals | Nash & Co Solicitors
Written by Mike Shiers and Rebecca Brisley | Medical Negligence team | 25 February 2026
Many patients notice early signs of kidney cancer but feel that their concerns are dismissed or not fully investigated. Symptoms like blood in the urine, persistent back pain, or unexplained fatigue may be brushed off as minor or unrelated issues. While not every dismissal amounts to negligence, repeated reassurance without appropriate action can sometimes fall below acceptable standards of care.
It is not about blame, but about ensuring patients receive timely investigations in line with clinical guidelines.
Why symptoms may be dismissed
Kidney cancer can present with vague or non-specific symptoms, which can make it harder for healthcare professionals to identify. However, patterns of repeated complaints, abnormal test results, or unexplained changes in health should trigger further investigation.
Dismissal may occur due to:
Symptoms being attributed to less serious conditions
Lack of follow-up on abnormal test results
Miscommunication between GP and hospital specialists
Failure to refer promptly to a urologist or oncology specialist
When these factors combine, what might seem like an innocent oversight can result in delayed diagnosis, which in turn may impact treatment options.
When ignoring concerns may amount to negligence
Not every instance of a GP or hospital professional not taking symptoms seriously constitutes negligence. Legal action depends on whether the standard of care fell below what is reasonably expected and whether this contributed to a delayed diagnosis.
Negligence may be present if:
Persistent symptoms were repeatedly dismissed without reassessment
Appropriate tests were not ordered despite clear warning signs
Referral pathways were not followed promptly
Results that could have led to earlier detection were overlooked
Independent medical experts review these cases to assess whether another competent professional would have acted differently at the time.
Why early recognition matters
Timely investigation of symptoms can dramatically affect the options available for treating kidney cancer. Earlier detection can allow for less invasive procedures, fewer complications, and more treatment choices. Delays caused by dismissed concerns can limit these options, making early and thorough assessment critical.
From a legal perspective, claims focus on establishing a breach in duty of care and showing that this breach likely affected the timing of diagnosis or treatment.
Steps to take if your concerns were ignored
If you believe your symptoms were dismissed and contributed to a late kidney cancer diagnosis:
Gather all medical records, including GP notes, referral letters, and test results
Make a timeline of appointments, symptoms raised, and responses received
Note any repeated attempts to raise concerns with professionals
Seek guidance from a specialist Medical Negligence team
At Nash & Co Solicitors, you will speak directly with an experienced member of the team who will carefully review your records and explain whether a claim may be viable, providing clarity and reassurance throughout the process.
We assist clients across Plymouth, Devon, Cornwall, and throughout the UK. You can contact us on 01752 827067 or email medneg@nash.co.uk.
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It may be considered negligence if persistent or serious symptoms were not investigated in line with accepted clinical standards, especially when earlier detection could have been achieved.
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Yes. If a healthcare professional repeatedly reassured a patient without arranging appropriate tests or referrals, this could fall below acceptable standards of care.
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Yes. There must be evidence that the delay in investigation or referral likely caused a later diagnosis and materially affected treatment options or outcomes.
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Generally, you have three years to bring a medical negligence claim but when this starts depends on your specific circumstances.
In some cases, time runs from the date the negligence and harm were obvious, while in others it runs from your date of knowledge, meaning when you knew or reasonably ought to have known that negligent treatment had caused you harm, such as the date of a delayed cancer diagnosis.
This test is fact specific and varies by case so it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible to protect your position.
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Yes. Our Medical Negligence team reviews the full sequence of care, identifying where delays or omissions may have occurred, and advises on potential claims.
