Sasha Pieterse revealed she was ignored by 17 doctors while suffering from symptoms like rapid weight gain and seizures, which were eventually diagnosed as PCOS after years of misdiagnosis, highlighting the importance of listening to patients and proper medical evaluation.
Joe Faratzis, diagnosed with stage four colon cancer at 28, shares his experience of initially ignoring key symptoms like abdominal pain and blood in stool. Despite early signs, he delayed medical tests due to cost and embarrassment, leading to a late diagnosis. Faratzis now advocates for self-awareness and proactive health management, urging others to listen to their bodies and seek timely medical advice. His story highlights the importance of early detection and being one's own health advocate.
NBA Hall of Famer Alonzo Mourning is now cancer-free after undergoing surgery in March to remove his prostate following a Stage 3 cancer diagnosis. Mourning, who has a family history of prostate cancer, is advocating for men to get regular screenings and PSA tests to detect the disease early.
A 30-year-old mother from Ohio shared a horrifying photo of 20 blood clots removed from her leg following the birth of her 9lb 10.5oz baby, which led to excruciating pain and a near-death experience. Initially misdiagnosed with one clot, she later discovered the severity of her condition and underwent emergency surgery. The incident highlights the importance of advocating for proper medical care and follow-up, as blood clots can be life-threatening, especially after childbirth.
Health advocacy groups are urging the FDA to ban methylene chloride, a chemical used in the decaffeination process of coffee, citing its designation as a carcinogen by organizations like the World Health Organization and Environmental Protection Agency. Some states, such as California, are also taking steps to ban the chemical. The FDA is currently reviewing the petitions, and residue limits of methylene chloride have been set to limit exposure, although not all coffee brands use the same decaffeination process.
Stefania Frost, a second-grade teacher, was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer at 36 after experiencing only abdominal pain. Despite successful treatment, she faced fertility struggles due to chemotherapy. Now cancer-free, she emphasizes the importance of health advocacy, urging others to listen to their bodies and seek medical attention promptly.
Comedian and actress Amy Schumer revealed she has exogenous Cushing syndrome, a rare condition caused by high-dose steroid injections, after facing online criticism over her appearance. Schumer, who also battles endometriosis, shared her health struggles to advocate for women's health and body positivity, emphasizing the importance of self-love and relentless advocacy in a system that often dismisses women's health concerns.
Comedian Amy Schumer has revealed that she has been diagnosed with exogenous Cushing syndrome, which is linked to her use of synthetic steroids to treat endometriosis. She expressed gratitude for critical comments about her appearance, as they led to the discovery of her health condition, and emphasized the importance of advocating for women's health and body positivity. Schumer urged women to prioritize their well-being and seek proper medical care, highlighting the need for greater awareness and support in the healthcare system.
Former NBC correspondent Kristen Dahlgren left her dream job to launch the Pink Eraser Project, aiming to accelerate breast cancer vaccines after learning about promising research from Dr. Nora Disis. The project seeks to streamline funding and collaboration to bring safe and affordable breast cancer vaccines to fruition, potentially changing the landscape of breast cancer treatment worldwide.
Demi Lovato faced criticism for performing her song "Heart Attack" at the American Heart Association's event, with attendees finding it tone-deaf as they were heart attack survivors. Social media users also blasted her for the song choice, but her representative explained that it was meant to champion the women in the room. Lovato, who suffered a heart attack and strokes in 2018, expressed joy about advocating for women's health. She has been open about the lingering effects of her overdose, including brain damage and vision issues.
Brooks Bell, a 38-year-old entrepreneur, was initially dismissed by doctors when she sought a colonoscopy due to textbook symptoms of colon cancer. After advocating for herself, she was diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer. Bell's experience has led her to advocate for younger adults to listen to their bodies and push for their health, as colon cancer cases are rising among people under 50. She has since become an advocate for colon cancer prevention and early detection, emphasizing the importance of colonoscopies and raising awareness about the disease.
Jude Mabone, Miss District of Colombia, survived six heart attacks before the age of 18 and is now competing for Miss America, using her platform to raise awareness about heart disease and advocate for better cardiac emergency response plans and funding. Determined to destigmatize the disease, she has already raised thousands of dollars for heart disease research and aims to leverage her position to bring tangible change to the way the country views this prevalent condition.
Amanda Banic, a 35-week pregnant woman, experienced severe chest pain dismissed as indigestion and panic attack by doctors, but it turned out to be a near-fatal aortic dissection. Her husband's insistence on returning to the hospital saved her life, leading to emergency open-heart surgery and a cesarean section to deliver her baby. Amanda's recovery has been challenging due to a connective tissue disorder, but she remains grateful for her life and encourages others to advocate for their health.
Television personality Maria Menounos revealed that she had noticed symptoms related to her pancreatic cancer a year before her diagnosis. Menounos had sensed something was wrong for months, experiencing bloating and abdominal pain, but her initial tests did not provide any answers. In April 2022, during an episode of her podcast, she mentioned her suspicion that her pancreas was the source of the problem. Subsequently, she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, which can be a sign of pancreatic cancer. Her symptoms worsened in the fall of 2022, leading to a full-body MRI in December, which revealed a stage 2 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. Menounos underwent successful surgery and is now cancer-free. She is using her experience to raise awareness about the importance of early detection and advocating for one's health.
A woman in Lansing, Michigan, visited her doctor for an ear infection and was shocked to learn that she had a benign pituitary brain tumor. Despite the diagnosis, she remained determined to pursue her goals and continued her education, graduating on time. She emphasizes the importance of being proactive about one's health and not ignoring potential symptoms, urging others to seek medical attention when something feels wrong.