Boxer Georgia O'Connor revealed cancer symptoms that doctors 'dismissed' in heartbreaking post before tragic death
Professional boxer Georgia O'Connor revealed her cancer symptoms were 'dismissed' in a heartbreaking post before her tragic death.
O'Connor sadly passed away on Thursday, aged 25.
She announced earlier this year that she had been diagnosed with cancer after previously battling ulcerative colitis.
The Durham fighter enjoyed a decorated amateur career, winning a gold medal at the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2017.
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She signed with Ben Shalom's BOXXER when she turned pro and was undefeated in three fights.
Tributes have poured in following her death, with BOXXER releasing an emotional statement.
It read: "We are heartbroken by the passing of Georgia O’Connor. A true warrior inside and outside the ring, the boxing community has lost a talented, courageous and determined young woman far too soon.
"Georgia was loved, respected and admired by her friends here at BOXXER. Our thoughts are with her loved ones at this difficult time."
Before her passing, O'Connor took to social media to announce her cancer diagnosis.
On January 31, she shared a lengthy message about her cancer diagnosis, claiming the NHS dismissed her case.
"There’s really no easy way to say this, but I have cancer. Now that’s out the way, it’s time to expose the absolute incompetent RATS that have allowed this to happen," she wrote.
"For 17 weeks since the start of October, I’ve been in constant pain, going back and forth between Durham and Newcastle RVI A&E knowing deep down something was seriously wrong. I said from the start I felt it was cancer. I KNEW the risks.
"I have colitis and PSC [Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, which is a liver disease], two diseases that dramatically increase the chances of getting it."
O'Connor added: "Not one doctor took me seriously. Not one doctor did the scans or blood tests I begged for whilst crying on the floor in agony.
"Instead, they dismissed me. They gaslit me, told me it was nothing, made me feel like I was overreacting. They refused to scan me. They refused to investigate. They REFUSED to listen. One even told me that it’s 'all in my head'."
She branded the NHS a 'broken system' after revealing her cancer had spread.
"And now? Now the cancer has spread. And if that wasn’t enough, throughout this whole time there’s been BLOOD CLOTS all over my lungs. That ALONE could have killed me instantly," she continued.
"They could have done something before it got to this stage. But they didn’t. Because this is the state of the NHS - a broken system that fails young people like me over and over again.
"A system that makes people suffer, that sends them home in agony, that lets cancer spread whilst the thick, stupid, mindless 'doctors' shrug their shoulders.
"They can say it’s terminal all they want. They can tell me I’m going to die. But after taking 17, SEVENTEEN weeks to even figure out what was wrong with me, why the f**k should I believe them?
"I’m young, I’m fit and I am stronger than they’ll ever f**king understand. Mentally. Physically. Every single way. I’m still smiling and that smile will NEVER fade, no matter what.
"We’ve already got an amazing oncologist on my case and we’ve made sure I’m going to have the best treatment and healing possible. Starting NOW.
"F**K the doctors who failed me. F**k the system that let this happen. And when I beat this like I’ve beat everything that’s tried to end me before, they’re all going to get what’s f**king coming to them."
LADbible group has contacted the NHS for comment.
Topics: Boxing
Nasir Jabbar