A stage-4 cancer diagnosis has led to the death of a young woman, who had her health problems dismissed because she was healthy and looked younger.
Kasey Altman, 25, from San Diego, California, was diagnosed with a rare soft tissue cancer in October 2020 after she claims that multiple doctors advised there was nothing wrong with her.
The third doctor who performed the CT scan revealed that she had rhabdomyosarcoma.
Rare cancer usually affects children and has just a five-year survival rate of 20 per cent.
Kasey Altman (25), from San Diego, California claims that her health problems were ignored by several doctors. A CT scan showed she was diagnosed with cancer. Pictured: Kasey on night out during chemo treatment
Kasey, pictured just before she was diagnosed with cancer, admits to feeling emotional as it seemed like no one else could hear her.
Kasey said the first doctor dismissed her without conducting an exam, while another sent her away with a suppository which would help a haemorrhoid. Pictured: Kasey at the hospital
This Google employee shared her experiences on TikTok in an effort to raise awareness about gender bias in medicine.
Kasey stated that he was in good health, and that he exercises daily. He also eats well. Kasey is a former college student athlete so he takes his health seriously.
“Then, I got these tumors on my body which were close to my anus and nobody would listen to to me, because I was healthy and young and I looked great.
“The initial doctor that I went to didn’t do an examination on me, but she refused to examine it. I came in, and I said that I believed I had a cancerous tumor.
Kasey (pictured before diagnosis) said she had tumours pop up on her body despite exercising daily and eating well
Kasey was recommended to an obstetrician-gynecologist, who also initially tried to reassure her that her symptoms weren’t serious. Pictured after her diagnosis: Kasey and Darius with their partner
Kasey (pictured in hospital), who was found to have a CT scan after her OBGYN ordered it reluctantly, stated that this was an issue she should be taking seriously.
“She quickly dismissed me and sent me on my route with a suppository that would aid a hemorhoid.
Having been recommended to an obstetrician-gynecologist (OBGYN) by her aunt, Kasey got closer to an answer but claims she still faced push-back.
“She said, “The third doctor that I visited was an OBGYN. He looked at it and found it really strange.
“But, she also assured that I was healthy and young so it wouldn’t be anything major.
“I began to feel emotional, because nobody was listening. This was my third experience in just three weeks.
“She hesitated, but ordered a CT scan that led me to my diagnosis. It was an uphill battle to get her to accept me as a serious patient.
“I was shocked to discover how many other people have a similar story than me until I wrote on TikTok.”
After suffering for a month with severe pain, Brave Kasey was shocked to learn that she has cancer.
Her life was rearranged around chemotherapy.
Since November 2021, the soft tissue sarcoma has been recurred several times. Kacey is now undergoing further chemotherapy.
She stated, “It’s the hardest thing to take emotionally. When you’re in your 20s all you have to do is plan for the 30s and then 40s.
“When it is said that you don’t have enough time, make a pivot.
Kasey is pictured here playing volleyball just before she was diagnosed. She exercised every day and claimed that as an ex-college athlete, she takes her health seriously.
Kasey was in crippling pain for one month before she was diagnosed. She had to plan her life around chemotherapy.
“For me that meant to search for my purpose in life because I felt a sense of urgency that wasn’t there before.
‘There is a lot to be done in innovative medicine, and I’m fortunate enough to have a parent advocate. My mother is the intelligentest person on the planet.
“I am at the stage now that I advocate for myself and take an active part in my care. All options are being pursued.
Kasey, pictured in chemo. She said that the most difficult pillow to swallow is the fact that your 20s are spent planning for the future.
Kasey stated that discovering she might not live to see her 100th birthday has made it more urgent for her to fulfill her destiny. Kasey with her partner
Kasey, pictured shortly after her diagnosis. She said that she is lucky to be able to call her mom. However, she will actively participate in Kasey’s treatment.