Jessica Pettway, a beloved beauty influencer with a following of over 228,000 subscribers on YouTube, has tragically passed away at the age of 36.
Her sister, Reyni Brown, announced the devastating news on Instagram, revealing that Pettway lost her battle with stage three cervical cancer on Monday, March 11.
The announcement came as a shock to many of her fans, who had followed Pettway’s journey through her engaging content on beauty and lifestyle topics for over a decade.
Pettway’s untimely death has shed light on the dangers of medical misdiagnosis, particularly within communities of color.
Last summer, Pettway shared with her followers that she had been initially misdiagnosed by her gynecologist, who attributed her symptoms to fibroids.
Despite experiencing intense vaginal bleeding, weakness, and fatigue, Pettway’s concerns were dismissed until her condition took a critical turn.
In July 2022, she was found unresponsive and not breathing by her husband, prompting an emergency hospitalization where she was informed that her extreme blood loss was due to fibroids.
However, Pettway’s health continued to deteriorate, leading to further hospitalizations and multiple blood transfusions. It wasn’t until the beginning of 2023 that she received a biopsy revealing her diagnosis of stage three cervical cancer.
According to Human Rights Watch, Black women are disproportionately affected by late-stage cancer diagnoses due to structural racism, bias, and discrimination within the healthcare system.
Throughout her ordeal, Pettway remained resilient, drawing strength from her faith and the support of her family. Despite facing financial burdens and prolonged hospital stays, she remained optimistic about the future, believing in the blessings yet to come.
Pettway’s passing has sparked a conversation about the need for improved healthcare access and advocacy, particularly for marginalized communities who may face barriers to proper diagnosis and treatment.
In the wake of her death, many Black women have shared their own experiences of mistreatment within the medical system, echoing calls for change and greater awareness of healthcare disparities.
Pettway’s legacy as a trailblazing beauty influencer and advocate for women’s health will continue to inspire others to speak out and seek the care they deserve.
As her family and followers mourn her loss, Pettway’s impact on the beauty community and beyond will be remembered for years to come.
