The Morning Edition For years doctors dismissed Jenny’s concerns. Now she has months to live
Apr 20, 2025
In this powerful discussion, Jenny Piper, a Sydney woman whose cancer went undetected for 18 months, shares her heartbreaking journey through healthcare misdiagnoses. She sheds light on the dismissive treatment women face within medical settings, drawing on her own experience as a harrowing example. Health editor Kate Albusin highlights the broader systemic issue of medical misogyny in Australia. Together, they emphasize the urgent need for better communication and validation of women's health concerns to combat ingrained biases in the healthcare system.
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Jenny's Long Misdiagnosed Symptoms
- Jenny Piper experienced bruising, facial hair growth, hair loss, and unexplained weight gain over eight years.
- Her symptoms were repeatedly dismissed as menopause or stress by her GPs without thorough investigation.
Missed Tumour on CT Scan
- A three-centimetre tumour was found on Jenny's adrenal gland in 2022 but was not acted upon by doctors.
- By late 2023, the tumour grew to seven centimetres and became cancerous, leading to delayed treatment.
Systemic Medical Misogyny
- Many women’s symptoms are dismissed due to systemic medical misogyny, not just individual negligence.
- Medical professionals often attribute women's symptoms to emotional or hormonal causes instead of investigating further.