July 10, 2023
Beating colon cancer together: Miguel and Paula’s story
After they were both diagnosed with colon cancer, Miguel and Paula fought the disease together. Hear about the expert cancer care they received.
Miguel and Paula Rodriguez have been married for more than 56 years. “I still love her like I did when we first met,” said Miguel.
Their partnership was more important than ever when Paula learned she had colon cancer. Her diagnosis came just 2 years after Miguel received the same news.
Colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States. But when caught early, colon cancer can often be cured.
Receiving the 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.”
Their primary care doctor, Margarita Sánchez-Padilla, MD, had always reminded them to keep up with preventive screenings. The medical assistants and receptionists in her office reinforced that message.
Treatment success
Once their cancers were detected, both Rodriguezes received expert care from teams of specialists. Their care teams 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, MD.
Learn how Kaiser Permanente saves lives with its team-based approach to cancer care.
