Holly Shares Why She Traveled from Anderson Township for Treatment
Holly was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in January 2022, and it completely rocked her world. Anxious to begin treatment as quickly as possible, she met with a care team at a hospital in Cincinnati. The first step was to have surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible.
After the surgery, Holly met with the care team to discuss the next steps. That’s when she realized she didn’t feel comfortable continuing with them. So, she called a high school friend for advice. That friend happened to be Doug Flora, MD, Executive Medical Director of Oncology Services at St. Elizabeth Healthcare. Like Holly, Dr. Flora lives in Anderson Township on Cincinnati’s east side.
Worth the Drive
“During that conversation, Doug didn’t push St. Elizabeth,” Holly says. “He just talked about the care. When my husband and I came to see the center, we realized — it’s a wonderful place.”
Switching her care to the Yung Family Cancer Center at St. Elizabeth would mean traveling 25 minutes to Edgewood, Ky., for appointments. But it was worth it to come to St. Elizabeth, she said, “where I’m not a number.”
A Place Where Everybody Knows Your Name
Holly felt so well cared for at St. Elizabeth that she began looking forward to her appointments. “Every person I’ve come in contact with truly seems like they care about me and everybody in here,” she says. “From the moment you walk in, it just has a nice feel. You see a lot of the same people at each visit. You develop a rapport with them, and everybody remembers you.”
Holly adds, “Every person truly seems to care about me and everybody here. St. Elizabeth was where I was supposed to be.”
The Importance of Early Detection
One reason Holly was so shocked by her diagnosis was because she wasn’t experiencing symptoms. That’s not uncommon. Typically, colorectal cancer cells grow very slowly. Symptoms aren’t noticeable until the disease is more advanced.
Colorectal cancer occurs in the colon, rectum or both. It is the third-most common cancer in adults in the United States. The American Cancer Society recommends colorectal cancer screenings beginning at age 45. You should start earlier if you have a family history of colorectal cancer or other risk factors for the disease.
Several screening options are available, including a colonoscopy (the most accurate and reliable), blood tests and stool DNA tests (which you can take at home). Regardless of your choice, following your doctor’s recommendations is crucial. When colorectal cancer is detected in the early stages, the five-year survival rate is high (about 90%).
Talk to your Primary Care provider for more information about colorectal cancer screenings.
Complete, Compassionate Support for People Dealing with Cancer
The Yung Family Cancer Center at St. Elizabeth in Edgewood, Ky., is a place for healing and hope. Our expert team cares for the whole person, not just the cancer. High-quality, personalized cancer care is right here when you need it most.
If you need Cancer Care or a second opinion, call (859) 301-4000 today.
Looking for a Cancer Care or Primary Care provider? Search our Find a Doctor page.
Take a virtual tour of the Yung Family Cancer Center.
