A Doctor Fat-Shamed Julie Smith — It Turns Out She Had Stage 3 Colon Cancer

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Prepare yourselves for some infuriating news. Have you heard the story about 27-year-old Julie Smith from Los Angeles? If not, let me fill you in on the shocking details.

Julie, otherwise a healthy young woman, visited her doctor due to severe stomach pain that made eating nearly impossible. She had to advocate for herself just to see a gastroenterologist, desperate for answers. When she explained that every meal brought her excruciating pain and that she had lost thirty-five pounds, she was hoping for a thorough examination.

You might think, “Surely, that doctor ran every test possible to figure this out.” But no, that’s not at all what happened. Instead, the doctor dismissed her concerns, telling her that her weight loss might not be such a bad thing and that her inability to eat could even be a “BLESSING.” He refused to conduct any tests. NOT A SINGLE TEST, PEOPLE.

Frustrated, Julie took to TikTok to share her heartbreaking experience. She was visibly upset, and her followers rallied around her, validating her feelings and encouraging her to seek a second opinion. Naturally, given her relentless pain and inability to eat, she did just that.

The second doctor ordered a colonoscopy, and the diagnosis? Stage 3A colon cancer that had already spread to her lymph nodes. This young woman was walking around Los Angeles with cancer spreading through her body, while her previous doctor fat-shamed her instead of providing care.

When Julie confronted the first doctor for an apology, he claimed she didn’t understand his “sense of humor.” As if joking about body-shaming and dismissing a serious illness is acceptable.

This situation raises critical issues about gender bias and fat bias in medicine. Julie believes her experience highlights how size can lead to dismissal in healthcare. If she had been alarmingly thin after her weight loss, perhaps that doctor would have actually run some tests.

It’s disheartening that a society that claims to care about the health of fat individuals often falls short in actual medical care, especially for fat women. While some doctors do offer compassionate care, the systemic problem of weight stigma still exists.

Julie has since undergone surgery and chemotherapy, and thankfully, things are looking up for her. However, her experience serves as a reminder that no one should be dismissed when experiencing unexplained pain and significant weight loss. Every complaint deserves proper investigation, regardless of the patient’s size or age.

The doctor who nearly failed Julie should be held accountable, and anyone who excuses his behavior should take a long, hard look at their values.

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Summary:

Julie Smith, a 27-year-old from Los Angeles, faced dismissal from a doctor who fat-shamed her instead of diagnosing her severe condition. After losing significant weight due to pain, she sought a second opinion and was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. This incident sheds light on the biases in medical care related to weight and gender, emphasizing the need for thorough investigations for all patients, regardless of size.

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Julie Smith, colon cancer, fat-shaming, gender bias in medicine, healthcare disparities, patient advocacy