A 2021 study shows that women make up 75% of patients with Multiple Sclerosis and Canada "continues to have one of the highest rates of MS in the world".

In October 2026, actor Christina Applegate shared that she had been misdiagnosed with MS after being diagnosed with it in 2021. Why is that? A study from 2024 shows that the frequency of an MS misdiagnosis ranges from 5% to 41%. Why is it so hard to get diagnosed with MS? 

We speak to Rebeckah Price a young Canadian woman with roots from Jamaica. After experiencing some vision loss for several months, and in the process of trying to get a diagnosis for MS, a doctor told Rebeckah that she looked "too strong" to have it. Rebeckah ended up traveling to the United States to get a definitive diagnosis.

Research Links:

What Can We Learn from Sex Differences in MS?: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8537319

Prevalence and incidence of MS in Canada and around the world: https://mscanada.ca/ms-research/latest-research/prevalence-and-incidence-of-ms-in-canada-and-around-the-world

Christina Applegate's Health Journey, From Early MS Symptoms to Learning She was Misdiagnosed: https://www.today.com/health/disease/christina-applegate-ms-misdiagnosis-health-journey-timeline-rcna604789

Misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis of multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/13524585241274527

Diseases That Mimic MS: https://msfocus.org/Magazine/Magazine-Items/Posted/Diseases-That-Mimic-MS Embodiment of structural racism and multiple sclerosis risk and outcomes in the USA: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41582-025-01096-5

Unequal risk: Why MS is a growing problem in Black communities: https://artsci.washu.edu/ampersand/unequal-risk-why-ms-growing-problem-black-communities-theresa-gildner

Got a question or comment? Email us at: mistreatedpodcast@tvo.org

If you, or someone you know, is struggling with mental health, visit any of the following resources for support: Canada.ca/mental-health Kids Help Phone Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868.

A 2021 study shows that women make up 75% of patients with Multiple Sclerosis and Canada "continues to have one of the highest rates of MS in the world".
In October 2026, actor Christina Applegate shared that she had been misdiagnosed with MS after being diagnosed with it in 2021. Why is that? A study from 2024 shows that the frequency of an MS misdiagnosis ranges from 5% to 41%. Why is it so hard to get diagnosed with MS?&nbsp;
We speak to Rebeckah Price a young Canadian woman with roots from Jamaica. After experiencing some vision loss for several months, and in the process of trying to get a diagnosis for MS, a doctor told Rebeckah that she looked "too strong" to have it. Rebeckah ended up traveling to the United States to get a definitive diagnosis.
Research Links:
What Can We Learn from Sex Differences in MS?: <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8537319">https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8537319</a>
Prevalence and incidence of MS in Canada and around the world: <a href="https://mscanada.ca/ms-research/latest-research/prevalence-and-incidence-of-ms-in-canada-and-around-the-world">https://mscanada.ca/ms-research/latest-research/prevalence-and-incidence-of-ms-in-canada-and-around-the-world</a>
Christina Applegate's Health Journey, From Early MS Symptoms to Learning She was Misdiagnosed: <a href="https://www.today.com/health/disease/christina-applegate-ms-misdiagnosis-health-journey-timeline-rcna604789">https://www.today.com/health/disease/christina-applegate-ms-misdiagnosis-health-journey-timeline-rcna604789</a>
Misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis of multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis: <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/13524585241274527">https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/13524585241274527</a>
Diseases That Mimic MS: https://msfocus.org/Magazine/Magazine-Items/Posted/Diseases-That-Mimic-MS Embodiment of structural racism and multiple sclerosis risk and outcomes in the USA: <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41582-025-01096-5">https://www.nature.com/articles/s41582-025-01096-5</a>
Unequal risk: Why MS is a growing problem in Black communities: <a href="https://artsci.washu.edu/ampersand/unequal-risk-why-ms-growing-problem-black-communities-theresa-gildner">https://artsci.washu.edu/ampersand/unequal-risk-why-ms-growing-problem-black-communities-theresa-gildner</a>
Got a question or comment? Email us at: <a href="mailto:mistreatedpodcast@tvo.org">mistreatedpodcast@tvo.org</a>
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with mental health, visit any of the following resources for support: Canada.ca/mental-health Kids Help Phone Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868.

(MIS)Treated, a TVO podcast, explores how medicine has – and still is – failing women and speaks to the people looking to make a difference. Join host Nam Kiwanuka to hear real life stories and expert interviews on how the mistreatment and misdiagnosis of women affects us all.

(MIS)Treated, a TVO podcast, explores how medicine has &ndash; and still is &ndash; failing women and speaks to the people looking to make a difference. Join host Nam Kiwanuka to hear real life stories and expert interviews on how the mistreatment and misdiagnosis of women affects us all.