Television presenter Vanessa Feltz has bravely opened up about the painful loss of her mother, Valerie, who tragically passed away from endometrial cancer in 1995. Vanessa, now 61, believes her mother fell victim to gender bias within the medical system, which led to her cancer diagnosis being overlooked until it was too late.
Recalling the difficult journey her mother faced, Vanessa shared, “My mother was suddenly getting the most tremendous abdominal pain but only sporadically and only sometimes and very unpredictably.”
Valerie sought help from numerous doctors and specialists, but they dismissed her symptoms, attributing them to neuroticism, attention-seeking, or the menopause. Sadly, it was later revealed to be endometrial cancer, and Valerie passed away at the age of 57.
Tragically, by the time Valerie received her diagnosis, the cancer had already spread extensively, leaving treatment options limited. Vanessa expressed her frustration, stating, “She died of it. It had spread so far that they couldn’t really do anything much about it, and she definitely was neither heard nor listened to, she really, really wasn’t.”
Addressing a 2021 Department of Health survey that indicated one in ten women feel unheard by healthcare professionals, Vanessa emphasized the importance of advocating for oneself. She shared her concerns about the complacency that can arise when medical authorities dismiss or downplay symptoms, leading patients to forgo further investigation.
“When you’re told by someone senior in the medical establishment, ‘Don’t worry about it, you’re fine, just drink water, have a tranquilizer, you’ll be great. Have a bubble bath,’ you think, ‘Thank god for that.’ The urge to push further is not that great,” Vanessa stated.
In light of her own painful experience, Vanessa urged women to be assertive and persistent in seeking the care and attention they deserve. Empowering women to trust their instincts and demand proper medical evaluation, Vanessa believes that raising awareness about gender bias in healthcare is crucial to preventing such heartbreaking losses in the future.
Vanessa, who is a mother to grown-up daughters Allegra, 37, and Saskia, 34, hopes that sharing her mother’s story will help others recognize the importance of being proactive when it comes to their health. Losing a loved one to cancer is a deeply painful experience, but by speaking out and breaking the silence, Vanessa aims to bring about positive change in the medical system and ensure that every person’s voice is heard and valued.