Pregnancy stories

Oct 16, 2026

Texas mother's severe pregnancy heartburn misdiagnosed, later revealed as stage 3 colon cancer

Geraldine Levano, 31, of Houston experienced severe acid reflux during her second pregnancy that doctors dismissed as pregnancy-related. The unbearable symptoms were later diagnosed as stage 3 colon cancer, highlighting the dangers of dismissing persistent or severe symptoms during pregnancy.

Oct 16, 20262 sources

Top claims

▪Genetic testing revealed that Geraldine Levano has Lynch syndrome, an inherited genetic condition that increases the risk of developing colorectal, uterine, and other cancers at a young age.
▪Testing following the birth of her son in April 2022 revealed that Geraldine Levano had an eight-centimeter stage 3 tumor obstructing her colon.
▪Geraldine Levano, a 31-year-old medical assistant from Houston, Texas, experienced severe heartburn during her pregnancy that co-workers and her OB-GYN attributed to normal pregnancy symptoms.

Subtopics

Cancer1 Cancer diagnosis1 Digestive diseases1 Early cancer detection1 Maternal health1 Medical underdiagnosis1 Women's health1

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