Doctors Mistook Serious Illness for Laziness

Some people were told they were lazy or needed to lose weight. But they were actually very sick with large tumors. Doctors are being asked to check symptoms more carefully.
By Newsroom | Health, Medical |

A considerable number of individuals have reported experiencing debilitating symptoms that were initially attributed to a lack of effort or lifestyle choices. These accounts highlight a recurring pattern where perceived personal failings obscured the presence of serious, and in some cases, cancerous, medical conditions. The delay in accurate diagnosis has had profound impacts on these individuals' health and well-being, underscoring a systemic issue in how certain patient presentations are handled.

Background

The narratives consistently depict a sequence of events: individuals notice changes in their bodies, such as unexplained weight gain, abdominal swelling, or persistent pain, and often interpret these changes as personal shortcomings like laziness or a failure to adhere to fitness regimens. When seeking medical advice, their concerns are frequently met with dismissive explanations, often revolving around weight or general lifestyle. This pattern of misattribution and delayed diagnosis has led to the prolonged presence of significant underlying conditions.

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Woman thought she was 'lazy' until doctors discovered 12kg cancerous tumour - 1

  • Patient Experience: Many patients reported feeling perplexed when their initial efforts to address weight fluctuations, often through methods like medication injections or diet, yielded minimal or confusing results. For example, Becki noticed only a small weight loss over three months despite using injections, which she initially attributed to side effects of Mounjaro. Similarly, Kim Turner observed rapid abdominal expansion and continued weight gain despite minimal food intake, initially attributing it to age and genetics.

  • Medical Encounters: A recurring theme involves doctors suggesting weight loss as a solution to various symptoms. Rebecca Hiles stated that doctors repeatedly advised her to lose weight, implying it would alleviate her symptoms. Jackie Garcia was also told to "Exercise, Walk and Eat Some Almonds" after gaining over 100 pounds in a year.

  • Delayed Diagnosis: The time between symptom onset and a correct diagnosis varied significantly, often spanning months or even years. Becki underwent five months of tests before her diagnosis of pseudomyxoma peritonei, a rare mucinous cancer. Madalina Neagu sought medical help believing she was in labor due to severe abdominal pain, only to discover she had an 11-pound tumor.

Tumors of Significant Size

Several cases involved the discovery of substantial tumors, often weighing several kilograms, which had been present for an extended period, contributing to the perceived weight gain or abdominal distension.

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Woman thought she was 'lazy' until doctors discovered 12kg cancerous tumour - 2

  • Becki was diagnosed with a 12kg (approximately 26.5 lbs) cancerous tumor.

  • Amanda Shoultz had a 17-lb (approximately 7.7 kg) cancerous tumor.

  • Kim Turner presented with a 20-pound (approximately 9 kg) tumor.

  • A woman in Connecticut had a 50-pound (approximately 22.7 kg) ovarian tumor removed.

  • Madalina Neagu was found to have an 11lb (5kg) tumor in her uterus.

These instances demonstrate that what was initially perceived as simple weight gain or a lack of fitness was, in fact, the presence of large, abnormal growths.

Woman thought she was 'lazy' until doctors discovered 12kg cancerous tumour - 3

Initial Symptoms and Misinterpretations

Patients frequently experienced a range of symptoms that were downplayed or misattributed. These initial indicators were often subtle and easily confused with common, less serious ailments.

Woman thought she was 'lazy' until doctors discovered 12kg cancerous tumour - 4

  • Night Sweats: Becki experienced night sweats, initially considering them a side effect of Mounjaro, before they were linked to her cancer diagnosis.

  • Abdominal Pains: Recurring abdominal pains were a key symptom leading Becki to seek medical attention.

  • Weight Fluctuation and Swelling: Unexplained weight gain, particularly in the abdomen, was a common initial complaint. Kim Turner noticed her midsection expanding rapidly, and Amanda Shoultz described her stomach pushing out. Jackie Garcia gained over 100 pounds in a year and a half.

  • Numbness and Fatigue: A 33-year-old woman reported leg numbness if she slept on her side too long, and others experienced fatigue.

  • Growth on Nose: Jillian noticed a growth on her nose, which was initially dismissed by a medical professional.

  • Leg and Foot Sensations: Julie Swallow experienced pins and needles in her foot and leg, leading to difficulty walking, before being diagnosed with brain tumors.

Cancerous Diagnoses and Underlying Conditions

In numerous cases, the delayed diagnosis resulted in the confirmation of cancerous growths or other serious medical issues.

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  • Pseudomyxoma Peritonei: Becki was diagnosed with this exceptionally rare form of mucinous cancer after a prolonged period of testing.

  • Thyroid Cancer: Ms. Nettleton was diagnosed with medullary thyroid cancer, which presented with unusual symptoms including facial flushing.

  • Bronchial Tube Tumor: Rebecca Hiles had a cancerous tumor in her bronchial tube, which she believes was missed for years due to her weight.

  • Uterine Sarcoma: Jeanette Scully was diagnosed with a sarcoma of the womb after numerous medical appointments and an initial misdiagnosis of fibroids.

  • Ovarian and Other Tumors: Several accounts detail large ovarian tumors or tumors impacting multiple organs, such as in the case of a woman whose tumor encased her ovaries and grew around her colon, uterus, and kidneys.

  • Brain Tumors: Julie Swallow was diagnosed with two inoperable brain tumors after experiencing mobility issues.

Patient Advocacy and Instinct

Despite initial medical skepticism, several individuals persisted in seeking answers, demonstrating the importance of patient intuition and advocacy in uncovering serious health problems.

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  • Persistence: Becki continued to investigate her symptoms after initial weight loss from injections proved insufficient, eventually leading to a diagnosis after five months of tests.

  • Seeking Further Opinion: Jillian, after a brief consultation where her concerns about a nasal growth were dismissed, ultimately pursued further medical evaluation.

  • Trusting Instincts: Jeanette Scully's husband noted that she insisted the problem was not her fibroids, pushing for further investigation.

Expert Perspectives

The patterns observed in these accounts align with broader discussions about systemic issues in healthcare, including bias and the need for more comprehensive diagnostic approaches.

"Many women struggle to get adequate healthcare because doctors blame so many symptoms on weight." - As cited in Business Insider article regarding Rebecca Hiles's experience.

This observation suggests a potential bias where weight can overshadow other potential diagnoses, leading to a delay in care for diverse conditions. The initial dismissal of symptoms as laziness or weight-related issues is a critical juncture where patient care can be compromised.

Conclusion

The recurring theme across these varied accounts is the significant impact of initial misinterpretations and diagnostic delays. Symptoms perceived as personal failings like "laziness" often masked serious underlying medical conditions, including substantial cancerous tumors. The extended period between symptom onset and accurate diagnosis highlights a critical area for improvement in healthcare: ensuring that all patient concerns are thoroughly investigated, regardless of initial impressions related to weight or lifestyle. The persistence of individuals in advocating for their health, despite initial dismissal, is a testament to the importance of trusting patient intuition.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why were people told they were lazy?
Doctors sometimes blamed symptoms like weight gain or pain on people not trying hard enough or not being fit.
Q: What serious problems did people have?
Many had large tumors, some of which were cancerous.
Q: What is the main problem here?
The main problem is that doctors sometimes did not check symptoms carefully enough, which caused delays in finding serious illnesses.
Q: What should doctors do differently?
Doctors should listen to patients' concerns more and check for serious illnesses instead of just blaming weight or lifestyle.
Q: What can people do?
People should trust their feelings about their health and keep asking doctors for help if they think something is wrong.