“My doctor said, ‘They’ve lowered the age limit for colonoscopy, and you’re 48, so you should get one — we just need to check to make sure everything’s OK.’ I was very reluctant to do it, but finally I agreed,” Becerra says. The new screening guidelines effectively saved his life.
One of the polyps that were removed turned out to be cancerous, and it was soon discovered that the cancer had spread to his lungs. “They did a biopsy and found it screened positive for CDX2. This indicated metastasis — the colon cancer from the cancerous polyp had spread to the lung,” says Becerra’s wife Kimberly, a nurse practitioner.
Together, the couple summoned their courage and began to navigate the diagnosis. This quickly led them to City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center — the most advanced comprehensive cancer center in Orange County.
Today, Becerra is strong and hopeful. We sat down with the couple to learn more about their shared experience with cancer.
Q: What did the doctors tell you about the diagnosis?
Froy: They were pretty much saying there was nothing they could do and just encouraged me just to live my best life.
That wasn’t enough of an answer for us.
Kimberly: As a nurse, I was reading medical studies, and I knew about City of Hope. I called a family friend who used to work there, and she guided us to who we needed to speak to. It was clear City of Hope works hard to get new patients seen as soon as possible. We could tell they cared, and it meant a lot to us.
Q: Who did you see at City of Hope?
Kimberly: We had a consultation with Richard T. Lee, M.D., an expert in GI cancers and integrative oncology, and it was like night and day. He really listened to us.
Froy: We decided to take a more aggressive approach, and Dr. Lee designed and implemented a treatment plan that was right for us. We knew we could trust Dr. Lee, and I followed his advice to improve my diet and keep up with my workouts to stay strong.
Kimberly: The nurses are great, too. They know us and they've followed me along my whole journey as well, as the family member of a patient. It's been a great experience.
Q: What gave you reassurance about Dr. Lee?
Kimberly: He was just very calming, and he listened. Dr. Lee has studied integrative medicine in China — he knows what’s evidence-based. He also was very logical. He said, “You know, we may not get to a cure, but the strategy can be to prolong and extend until a new treatment comes out. There are clinical trials, but let's see if this gold standard of care works before we do any of that.” That gave us options, and Froy has been stable on the gold standard treatment. A big reason for hope is that City of Hope conducts hundreds of leading-edge clinical trials and studies — it’s a cancer research center and that makes a huge difference to us.
Froy: Another thing Dr. Lee said that made me feel very optimistic is the whole-team approach. The doctors at City of Hope have regular meetings. He specializes in GI cancers, and he works closely with the other GI and colon doctors. They’re all the best, and they all collaborate.
Q: Do you have an end-date for your current treatment?
Froy: I had 25 or 26 rounds of chemo for about a year. When I finished, they asked me if I wanted to ring the bell, and I said thank you but no. I don’t want to set expectations. I just want to keep going and listen to what my doctor says. I like to go to the gym to work out with weights, walk on the beach and ride my bike to maintain his strength and to relax.
Right now, I’m taking pills and going in every three weeks for an infusion. I’m probably going to be managing this for the rest of my life. Dr. Lee says there is a new immunotherapy coming soon for colon cancer that might help me.
Q: In terms of integrative medicine and supportive care, what have you tried?
Froy: I see City of Hope Orange County’s oncology acupuncturist, who has been very helpful. I’m a very happy, easy-going type of person, and at one point I was getting very irritable and upset about little things. My doctor recommended counseling, and it has helped me.
Q: It must give you an extra level of reassurance to know that you’re getting integrated, comprehensive care.
Froy: I've experienced cancer before. My mom had cancer and Kimberly's mom also had cancer, so we've both experienced it. I was born and raised Panama, and they only have one cancer hospital in the whole country. When I compare it to City of Hope, it's like night and day. I walk in, I never have to wait long for anything, everything's very organized, I go for my infusion at a certain time. I see Dr. Lee, and then I'll go up to the fifth floor for infusion; it is all integrated. I love it.
Q: What would you tell people about finding the best cancer care?
Froy: There is a difference between a general hospital that does everything and one that specializes in cancer. City of Hope specializes in cancer and to me that is the key, because you're dealing with professionals who are dedicated full time to treating and curing this disease.
Kimberly: At City of Hope, everyone there is so welcoming and compassionate. It makes a big difference for both the patient and their family.
Froy: I love the empathy at City of Hope — they care. The people who work there want to be there. And that makes me feel that I’m going to get help. The employees are one of the great assets at City of Hope. They all want to help and that, to me, is amazing. When I go there, I feel at home.
Take control of your health and talk to your physician about getting screened for colon cancer. First in research. First in treatment. First in survival. When it comes to cancer, it's Hope First.
To make an appointment at any of City of Hope’s Orange County locations, call 888-333-HOPE (4673).