Jessica Pettway, a beloved beauty YouTuber, tragically passed away at 36 from cervical cancer, a loss that underscores the severe health disparities faced by minority communities. Pettway’s journey through the healthcare system was marred by misdiagnosis and delayed treatment, reflecting a broader issue of systemic bias and neglect.
Pettway initially sought medical help for her symptoms in 2022, but her concerns were dismissed, and she was misdiagnosed with fibroids. It wasn’t until her symptoms worsened that she was correctly diagnosed with cervical cancer. By then, the disease had progressed significantly, limiting her treatment options and ultimately leading to her untimely death.
This heartbreaking story is a stark reminder of the disparities in healthcare that disproportionately affect Black women. Studies have shown that Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer at later stages and have higher mortality rates compared to their white counterparts. These disparities are often due to a combination of factors, including lack of access to quality healthcare, implicit bias in medical treatment, and socioeconomic barriers.
Pettway’s experience is not an isolated case. It highlights the urgent need for systemic change in the healthcare system to ensure that all patients, regardless of race or ethnicity, receive timely and accurate diagnoses. Advocates are calling for increased awareness, better training for healthcare providers on implicit bias, and improved access to preventive care and screenings for minority communities.
Jessica Pettway’s legacy as a beauty influencer and her tragic story serve as a powerful call to action to address and eliminate health disparities, ensuring that no one else has to endure the same fate.
See “Beauty YouTuber Jessica Pettway, 36, Dies of Cervical Cancer After Misdiagnosis” (March 19, 2024)
