Tumor pushed my eye out: Black woman's fight for diagnosis

A Black woman recounts her harrowing experience of being misdiagnosed four times after a tumor began pushing her eye out of its socket. Initially told it was an infected stye, her condition worsened significantly, causing extreme pain and light sensitivity. She encountered bias when a doctor showed her Google images of styes that only featured white individuals, highlighting a lack of understanding for her presentation.

Her struggle to receive an accurate diagnosis involved multiple visits to GPs and A&E, and a Specsavers visit that did not detect the tumor near her brain. The situation escalated, impacting her ability to work and causing intense suffering. Her eventual diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) on November 23, 2022, came after persistent advocacy and a blood test revealing abnormal white blood cell counts.

The article notes that new statistics show 8 in 10 women have felt unheard by medical professionals, and the UK is introducing Jess's Rule, a mandate for GPs to reconsider cases after a third visit. The author stresses that Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage cancer and urges for action beyond discussion, advocating for investment in organizations supporting women of color affected by cancer.