Beating cancer — together

Miguel and Paula Rodriguez have been married more than 53 years. “I still love her like I did when we first met,” said Miguel.

Their strong partnership was more important than ever when Paula learned she had colon cancer, just 2 years after Miguel received the same diagnosis.

“When you hear the word ‘cancer,’ you feel like death is upon you,” Miguel said. “Fortunately, at Kaiser Permanente, we have always gotten the help we need.”

That help included gentle but firm reminders to stay up to date with preventive screenings from their doctor, Margarita Sánchez-Padilla, reinforced by the medical assistants and receptionists they saw at each visit.

Once their cancers were detected, both Rodriguezes received expert care from teams of specialists who worked together closely to ensure the best prognosis for them.

“We caught the cancer early in both cases, removed it, and they are cured,” said surgeon Bryan Loh.

Learn how Kaiser Permanente saves lives with its team-based approach to cancer care.