140 Comments
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Lisa G's avatar

Tragic. She could have had a fighting chance, but sexism, ageism, an uncaring bureaucracy were too much

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Nicole Wallace-Edgar's avatar

The world ignores women’s health concerns. We die because of it. Here in the US, women are frequently told that it is in our heads, that we are built to take the pain. This YOUNG woman had her whole life ahead of her. She should be living it with her husband. I hope he brings a lawsuit against all the doctors that forgot their Hippocratic oath to FIRST DO NO HARM. Ignoring symptoms is a HARM.

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Anitra Carol Smith's avatar

Well said nicole, I'm in total agreement with you

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Codebra's avatar

Must be why women outlive men by more than half a decade.

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Nicole Wallace-Edgar's avatar

You mean women outlive men in spite of them. As a woman I’ve experienced this. What usually shuts them up is when I unleash the medical knowledge that I do have. When they realize that they’re not talking to somebody completely clueless, that’s when they start doing what they need to do. But I don’t expect a chauvinist to understand this.

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Lynn's avatar

I was unknowingly being used as a guinea pig 😡🤬

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Daniel's avatar

I don’t believe this would be sexism, it’s a symptom of a medical system where doctors are overly encouraged to avoid tests that might come back negative

In different system doctors will often just check for possibilities through blood tests

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Kay Coughlin's avatar

What qualifies you to say this isn't sexism? The medical system is built on misogynistic practices, one of which is denying that sexism is a possibility and a problem. Your comment gaslights this young woman even in her death.

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The Women Post Media's avatar

So True, Kay.

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Nicole Wallace-Edgar's avatar

Considering the reason that women outlive men is the fact that they actually go to medical appointments with regularity, as opposed to men who ignore things until they’re knocking at death’s door, how can you not say that it’s not sexism? When women are actively told, as this woman was told, “that it’s in your head and you don’t need treatment” despite having precursor conditions that warranted looking into it, how was it not sexism? Of the raving lunatics that have had something to say on my comment, you seem like you might actually have a brain in your head. I’ll dialogue with you.

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Vxi7's avatar

But we can make the exact same argument. What qualifies you?

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Kay Coughlin's avatar

How predictable.

If Armstrong were still alive and reading these comments, she'd be kicking ass and taking names. She literally DIED because the medical system worked according to protocol to gaslight her. What is wrong with you? Did you not read the article and see the actual texts of her posts? Misogynistic medical bullshit killed her. What more evidence does anybody need beyond her own actual fucking words?!?!

Here's the only proper takeaway from her pain and death: BELIEVE WOMEN. BELIEVE US THE FIRST TIME & EVERY TIME. Any other treatment is simply contempt and maybe malpractice.

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Vxi7's avatar

Daniel has no qualification to decide if it is sexism or not. I read through your comment but I also can't find your qualification to prove it is sexism.

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Nicole Wallace-Edgar's avatar

The fact that I’ve actually worked in the medical industry and seen it firsthand for myself as a patient. Come for somebody else who has feelings. Don’t come from me because I have knowledge.

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Codebra's avatar

1980s called and they want their ludicrous paranoid feminist nonsense back.

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Kay Coughlin's avatar

Please elaborate. Your comment is quite vague and, since we are discussing the actual death of a vibrant young woman, we owe her memory more than generic quips. This is serious and tragic.

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Linda Ray's avatar

You come across as shallow and misogynistic without a clue.

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Daniel's avatar

What qualifies me? Not much just have opinions certainly happy to hear further elaboration.

I’d agree there certainly have been practices that still exist that were/are sexist

In this case the way women’s symptoms are treated may have been a contributing factor I just think the structures of the NHS are a bigger contributor than sexism

I lack the required information to answer this conclusively, the factors I’m considering are that I’ve seen a few articles about cancers that could have been diagnosed in the NHS but doctors refusing to test, my understanding is that it hard to doctor shop there, the doctors gender split is about 50/50 and where I live which is a different medical system the women in my life have seemed to get a a descent range of tests done if they saw a doctor with concerns.

Obviously this won’t definitely answer the question of sexism vs the system but that’s my thoughts

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Amity Reed's avatar

“What qualifies me? Not much just have opinions.” - Thank you for so perfectly demonstrating the very same male entitlement and ignorance that leads to poor health outcomes for women. Which, by the way, is backed up by plenty of scientific evidence if you can be bothered to educate yourself before sharing your meaningless and ill-informed opinion.

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Daniel's avatar
5dEdited

Most people in most conversations don’t all that much on what they have an opinion on. If perfect knowledge was required before sharing an opinion it would be hard to have a discussion. I’m also happy to be challenged for understanding.

Are you saying there is scientific evidence directly linking missed cancer diagnosis in women to sexism in the NHS? I’d be happy to have a read if you can point me to it.

There’s others I know of like women getting missed for heart attacks because they have different symptoms to men and the information was based on men only.

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Amity Reed's avatar

I’m not your personal secretary or research assistant, you are perfectly capable of finding that information yourself. I just searched ‘sexism linked to poorer health outcomes for women UK’ and plenty of credible sources immediately came up. Maybe try it sometime instead of wandering into a conversation you admit you know nothing about and questioning women’s real life experiences, on a thread about a woman who DIED from the arrogance of people who also didn’t believe her.

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Kay Coughlin's avatar

You are mansplaining things you admit you don't know about. Kindly shut up.

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Jen Hammer's avatar

I'm replying to you because I don't care to hear back from hostile people who aren't interested in hearing it, but I think you may be right that it's entirely possible the doctors were providing the standard of care, meaning that this young lady may not have met a criteria or enough criteria to justify the expense of the tests according to their insurance system in the UK.

I live in Canada and a medical professional had to almost fudge some paperwork to get me a genetic test. I say almost because if she were questioned about it, she could truthfully speak to it, but it was grasping at straws.

I hope this case is further investigared. It will either find malpractice or expose how little autonomy doctors have in treating patients whose conditions don't present exactly within the mean.

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asthma fairy <3's avatar

two things can be true. doctors historically are less likely to listen to women’s health concerns. black women, specifically, are prescribed fewer painkillers than anyone else. medical racial and gender bias is very very present.

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Daniel's avatar

Good point, I personally think the Health system would be the bigger contributor in this case, but maybe it’s not I don’t know how to get an answer as to which is the bigger contributor

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Andy's avatar

Dude. You stepped in a pile of feminazi shite! I wish I could help! God forbid you claim women live longer than men!

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Nicole Wallace-Edgar's avatar

My grandmother always told me if I have nothing nice to say say nothing at all that would apply to your comment. If you’re not willing to see the Fax for what they are shut the fuck up about what I say.

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Nicole Wallace-Edgar's avatar

For the record of women outlive men because we actually go to these doctors that gaslight the fuck out of us. We actually research things that could possibly be positive to our conditions. We do things that men would never do. Men in fact, ignore a problem until it absolutely can’t be ignored as in impedes performance on some level. These are all reasons why women outlive you in spite of the fact that people like you exist.

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Vxi7's avatar

So women are so supressed by the medical establishment that anyway they live longer. Oh god. Terrible system it is.

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Daniel's avatar
5dEdited

Are you saying I’m wrong about the NHS and possibly being too conservative with medical testing?

Or I’m wrong that sexism isn’t the primary reason for the missed diagnosis?

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Cynthia mae's avatar

That's awful medical care, I'm so sorry this happened to her. Thank God she had a wonderful husband by her side through the worst.

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Caitlyn Dare's avatar

I can only imagine how devastated he is, to lose the person you planned to spend your life with so quickly.

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Myra's avatar

So sad. I was thinking today that very little has really changed for women. They say we overreact, we’re hysterical, we need to “calm down”. In the older days we’d be institutionalized and given electric shock treatments and lots of meds to help us properly fit in. This bill passed in the House yesterday is a tragedy for women. What will become of us? Our daughter? I’m losing hope.

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Anitra Carol Smith's avatar

oh fuck no myra… Let's not even think about losing hope. Go online and see the video of Kamala Harris giving a speech when she accepted an NAACP award This week. I think you will be inspired by her clarity and her determination.

It is the marginalized people who are stepping up… The old… Thank you Bernie, the gay… Thank you Pete, women… Thank you Jasmine and others.

It ain't over till it's over. And as they say at the ACLU… And I'm very proud to be an aclu member… We were built for times like this. Look out world.

Impeachment was never more clearly needed than today. What can we regular people do? I commit that I will call our California senators office to say oppose the big ugly bill and start impeachment.

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Eagle's avatar

This beautiful young woman obviously wasn’t faking it. Imagine her tolerance for pain based on her boxing career!

They would’ve never dismissed a young man in the same situation. Women generally have a higher tolerance to pain, and that should be part of the training for Md’s and for any health care practitioner .

With all the testing available to them it should’ve been the least they could’ve done to rule out something serious or even to confirm their suspicions if they thought she was just a hypochondriac. 😡 😔 💔💔💔

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Barbara Faigen's avatar

I get her rage. Once, when I was in severe pain, the doctor told me to go home and meditate. Misogynist.

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Andrea Ingalsbe's avatar

I’m afraid I would have snapped, kicked him square in the nards, and told him to go home and meditate about it.

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Anitra Carol Smith's avatar

One of the hardest things I ever did and I'm telling you this because I hope it inspires someone else to do the same, is get out of my car in the parking lot and go back into the podiatry office of Dr. Richard Greene in San Diego (Head of the American podiatry Association)

and asked to speak to him directly. The receptionist said well he's busy right now. I said nevertheless I need to speak to him. She said can I take him a message? I said no I need to meet with him in person in his office as soon as he's through with his current appointment.

I sat in his office and waited.and when he came in I said “take a seat. “ Ba ha ha I can't believe I was that nervy.

I said --I came back because in the appointment I had with you a few minutes ago, you hit me in the butt with my chart and told me I should leave my glasses on if I want to see how handsome you are.

he said oh I don't think I did that. I said yes you absolutely did that and it was inappropriate. I did not back down.

so many times I have hid out out of fear. But on the day that I die, I will look back on that moment as one that I stood up for the women who would come after me and have appointments with Dr. Richard Greene. Maybe he would have some awareness that he did not have before.

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Linda Ray's avatar

Kudos to you. Fifteen years ago I went to see a cancer doctor in Blue Ridge GA due to an ovarian mass. He took one look at my attractive, well-endowed friend and began spinning a tale about the two of them spending time together in a motel room. Usually, we're both outspoken but I'm ashamed and embarrassed to admit we were rendered speechless. The nurse never batted an eye.

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Barbara Faigen's avatar

Steve’s out of his league. Good riddance.

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Barbara Faigen's avatar

Anitra, I admire your courage in dressing him down. These doctors think they’re gods and that nothing can touch them. You’ve inspired me to speak up if it happens again (and it will).

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Anitra Carol Smith's avatar

thank you Barbara...

Yes it was clear to me that Dr. Green was a king in his little kingdom. I doubt that people ever called him on his behavior.

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Julia Johnson's avatar

Maybe you should go meditate. Or “smile” 😉

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Steve Brule's avatar

Everything's good, when there's no lying, hateful feminists around

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Julia Johnson's avatar

Lying, hateful feminists are all in your head. Go take a nice warm bath 🛁

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Steve Brule's avatar

Thank-you for demonstrating your ignorance. Bye

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Linda Ray's avatar

Spoken like a true incel. Go rub one out with tissue and lotion.

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Melinda Coker's avatar

What a sad and maddening story.

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Dr. Linda L. Moore's avatar

This is sad and tragic beyond belief… what could possibly be a reason to not take this young woman seriously when describing physical illness/concerns????

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Nicole Rinewalt's avatar

Shame on the NHS. Women need to keep her story in the news and take to the streets. Fight for all women as heroically as Georgia fought.

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H Malette Poole's avatar

It happens all over the world to women. It has to stop.

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Robie's avatar

And stop the bullshit antivax crap. This had nothing to do with it.

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AnakinDidNothingWrong's avatar

How do you know mRNA had nothing to do with it?

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Robie's avatar
5dEdited

And how do you know it DID??? Hmmm? There was not one mention of mRNA vaccines in that article.

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Linda Ray's avatar

Women are routinely gaslit by so-called medical professionals at a much higher rate than men. A few years ago, I began having symptoms of unexplained illness. At the time, I was living in Durham, NC and went to see a doctor at Duke Health Medical Center. Without doing any tests, he said it was all in my head. I was stunned, almost speechless. When I asked him why he'd say such a thing he first tried to deny saying it. After I refused to back down and let him off the hook, he said it was because I had a history of depression. 😡

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Linda Ray's avatar

I ended up having to see a female gynecologist. When I told her about it she was outraged and encouraged me to report him, which I did. I moved to another state not long after so I don't know if he was disciplined or not.

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Michael's avatar

Makes you wonder about mRNA turbo cancers in young healthy people. I have 2 daughters in that age group and I’m concerned. One was 25 yo going to Europe when booster was required for travel there and it put her in an NYC hospital the same day she was boosted. 🤷🏻‍♂️

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Robie's avatar

There is no such thing as mRNA turbo cancers. Wtf

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Michael's avatar

And no blood clots, myocarditis, etc. I remember when the left opposed and questioned the establishment

Now you are the establishment wtf

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Linda Ray's avatar

Thank you for making my day complete with your dressing down of that mayo sandwich on white bread.

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Linda Ray's avatar

I'm still laughing.

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Linda Ray's avatar

I'm still laughing.

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Five Pines To The North's avatar

Lol you're big mad. Lmao even.

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Michael's avatar

And no blood clots, myocarditis, etc. I remember when the left opposed and questioned the establishment

Now you are the establishment wtf

And my daughter in hospital after her booster is not rhetoric

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Robie's avatar

If you think the left is the establishment you are sorely misinformed.

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Maria Cires's avatar

That's horrific and heartbreaking..

I live in UK, actually between Durham and Newcastle and can tell you that doctors here operate like a business. They also have a system they use to diagnose and if you don't fit the pattern your condition is ignored.

It's not sexism, it's just how the system works and how utterly ignorant doctors can be.

Because she was so young and already had a condition that explained her symptoms. The biases and ignorance rulled the show.

This year I had done extensive research and self-diagnosed myself with condition the doctor knew nothing about. That condition too can lead to cancer if left untreated.

It's outrageous to go to doctors and be told "I type as I speak. Is that OK?" No, it isn't. Listen! I'm here for you to listen with both ears.

These people finish their degree and that's it. They go into a broken system and help the broken wheels spin. Very few evolve past their initial knowledge. This is a disgrace and I hope a wake-up call.

Medicine is not a business and hospitals are not hiding places for ignorance.

How many people must die for this government to look the ugly truth in the eyes?

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David Stokes's avatar

So sorry to hear about this tragedy. The NHS is a hit and miss service, often a blind beast of confusion, error and postcode lottery. In the rich part of London where I work it is superb. In the poor part where I live it is abysmal. Status, wealth and privilege haunt all our days. I'm just sorry this wonderful young woman met a bunch of dullards with doctors’ degrees in her hour of need. RIP.

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Suparna Chakraborti's avatar

My brother in law had the same experience. He fought for months to get doctors to take his pain seriously & it was cancer. It seems many doctors assume a young person who looks healthy can’t have a medical problem.

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Penny Evans's avatar

Women treated like 2nd class

citizens the world over.

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