This doesn't look like patients ignoring symptoms and not seeking medical care. It sounds like patients seeking care and medical professionals ignoring the symptoms and telling patients its no big deal.
My experience wasn't cancer but Crohn's diagnosis. I was having the worst abdominal pain, acid reflux, and weight loss.
GP brushed me off and prescribed Omeprazole. ER performed a sonogram and told me it was all in my head. Kept losing weight and excruciating abdominal pain, so eventually went to the ER again and they ordered a CT which showed terminal ileitis. Was able to then see a gastroenterologist and have a colonoscopy, and started a treatment for mild Crohn's.
It was pretty frustrating and I feel for those who have to go through something similar. :(
Ughhh seriously. Doctor: Yeah, this is actually all in your head. That's going to be a $1500 copay, and also screw you. For women it's even worse Doctor: hmmm classic hysteria, have you tried taking a midol and going to therapy? Also, that's going to be a $1500 copay and a $200 pregnancy test.
When you get any surgery done, the medical staff will ask you if there "is any possibility that you might be pregnant". If you say no and they still bill you for a pregnancy test, dispute it. Unless you're lying, which you're probably not.
They tack this onto everything, even if you've had a hysterectomy.