Colorectal screening should have been prescribed, med mal suit says

A woman who was diagnosed with colon cancer filed a medical malpractice suit against Kevin Konzen, M.D. of Heartland Healthcare in Madison County Circuit Court Feb. 29, alleging her doctor failed to recommend that she have a screening examination for colorectal cancer despite her age.

Represented by Paul Schoen of The Rex Carr Law Firm, Mary Edwards claims she had been a patient of Konzen for "many years" prior to her diagnosis of colon cancer on March 3, 2006.

Edwards claims Kozen deviated from the requisite standard of care by failing to refer her to a gastroenterologist for a colorectal cancer screening despite her age, failed to inform her of risks associated with not having a screening, failed to recommend that she be evaluated to determine the cause of her anemia and failed to timely evaluate her physical condition despite her ongoing complaints of ill-being for many months prior to her cancer diagnosis.

She claims that as a result of the alleged negligence, she suffered development and metastasis of cancer in her colon, has been required to undergo chemotherapy, experienced extreme pain and suffering, lost wages and became liable for medical expenses.

Edwards is seeking a judgment in excess of $100,000, plus costs.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Nicholas Byron.

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