Black influencer dies due to misdiagnosis

Black women should be their biggest health advocates after popular influencer Jessica Pettway, 36, died of cervical cancer on March 11. Pettway was originally misdiagnosed with fibroids.

Pettway first revealed her cancer diagnosis in July 2023 to her greater than 158,000 Instagram followers. However, her tragic death shocked social media users, especially with the proven fact that she had received multiple misdiagnoses. Doctors thought her “intense vaginal bleeding” was a symptom of fibroids until her condition worsened.

“I was taken to hospital where I was told that the significant blood loss was due to fibroids. “My gynecologist seemed normal and common,” Pettway explained within the post. “I wasn’t too concerned about it, but I could feel the placenta-sized clots, which was really concerning.”

She added: “I was told I couldn’t have surgery to remove this ‘fibroid’ because of the lack of blood supply… They recommended a biopsy.”

Biopsy results showed that the influencer had stage three cervical cancer. But her story speaks to countless women who receive misdiagnosis to their very own detriment. According to women and folks of color, 20 to 30% more probable experience a misdiagnosis. A significant slice of those misdiagnoses are due to cancer, particularly within the lungs.

However, issues related to proper medical evaluation and treatment disproportionately impact Black women. Women’s health expert Dr. Sherry Ross notes that a ‘broken medical system’ Contributes to this growing problem.

“We have a broken medical system,” said the OBGYN. “Women of color are even more marginalized in a broken system (in terms of) getting appointments on time, having insurance and being sent to the ER.”

Pettway leaves behind a husband and two daughters. However, her story raises awareness of systemic issues affecting Black women and the medical system.