For approximately five years, Jessica Sanchez’s persistent symptoms—constipation, excessive bleeding, night sweats, and extreme fatigue—were repeatedly dismissed.
When the 40-year-old mother of two finally underwent a colonoscopy, doctors discovered a tumor. Subsequent biopsies revealed she had rectal adenocarcinoma, the most common form of rectal cancer, which develops in the glandular cells lining the final section of the large intestine.
"Receiving news of my tumor after waking up, I immediately felt validated and confirmation of what my intuition felt," Sanchez told Newsweek. "But at the same time, scared and frustrated, knowing how long I suffered with symptoms."
Sanchez said the physical toll compounded the difficulty of seeking answers.
"Being a mom of two special-needs kids and having no energy, poor sleep and your body not functioning correctly no matter what you add [or] subtract from your lifestyle is extremely frustrating," she added.
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Although doctors completed a biopsy during the procedure, Sanchez was told she must wait for a follow-up appointment the following week to receive the results. Now, she is undergoing CT and MRI scans to determine the stage of the cancer and whether it has spread.
Reflecting on her diagnostic journey, Sanchez said she frequently accepted reassurances that her symptoms stemmed from minor issues, despite her instincts telling her otherwise.
"I regret not advocating fiercely, demanding another opinion, requesting they document their refusal in my charts," Sanchez said. "I want to tell women to be loud and make waves. Being polite and compliant while feeling dismissed will not get you the answers you need [or] deserve."
While navigating the uncertainty of a cancer diagnosis, Sanchez said she found strength in the unwavering support of friends and family.
Seeing people "drop everything" to help has been one of the most meaningful experiences of her life.
"I'm learning to hold space for both deep sadness and immeasurable gratitude," Sanchez said.
By sharing her experience online, Sanchez hopes to shed light on the challenges of medical dismissal and encourage others to speak up.
"I’ve never been one to cry on the internet, but I’ve spent most of my life suffering in silence," she said. "If I genuinely want to build connection and help other people, I absolutely have to be transparent and get over my fear of being seen."
Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here. Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Anthony Murray and Sirena Bergman.