Karen Brandenburg, outpatient treatment nurse, checks Kempf's heart while his wife, Bev, looks on during a recent visit to HRMC.

Paul Kempf had vowed he would never have a colonoscopy. But when the 68-year-old began to lose weight rapidly and felt ill, he knew something wasn't right.

Because it's a sensitive topic, many people don't schedule colorectal cancer screening tests with their physicians or are too embarrassed to describe their symptoms.

Kempf decided to discuss his symptoms and concerns during a routine exam with Dr. Jeff Wheeler at Huron Clinic. Dr. Wheeler suggested that he be screened for colorectal cancer using a flexible sigmoidoscopy – a test that uses a slender, lighted tube to examine the rectum and parts of the colon. "I didn't want to have the test, but I needed to know why I felt sick," says Kempf.

Colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum) is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death for men and women in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. However, with early detection, the disease can be caught in a treatable stage.

The Diagnosis
After the first test, it was recommended that Kempf have a complete colonoscopy to view the inside of the colon and rectum. The procedure, performed by general surgeon Dr. Linda Miller of the HRMC Surgical Clinic, showed that Kempf had cancer of the colon. Without immediate treatment, his prognosis was only 90 days to live.

"Everything happened quickly after my diagnosis. I went in for surgery in late October 2006 and started chemotherapy in November," says Kempf. A Huron native, Kempf lives only one block from HRMC. He never considered traveling to a larger hospital outside of the area because "I knew I could get great treatment in my hometown. Dr. Michael McHale, my oncologist, told me that no matter where I go, I'll get the same answer: 'You've got cancer.'"

An "A" All Around
Kempf's experience at HRMC has been positive and memorable. "I've been treated super at the hospital. My doctors and nurses have been perfect – I give them an 'A' across the board," he says. Kempf also received care from HRMC's home health services. "The staff gave me great care, arrived on time and were very professional."

Although he has lost 50 pounds due to his treatment, Kempf is feeling stronger every day. "I'm feeling good – I eat and sleep well, and I haven't been sick," he says. He also appreciates the support of his wife of 49 years, Beverly, and their nine children. "My family has been great. My friends check in with me regularly to see how I'm doing, and right now, I have no complaints!"

Know the Symptoms

The most common symptom of colorectal cancer is no symptom at all. However, individuals should be aware of the symptoms typically associated with the cancer. These may include: a change in bowel habits diarrhea or constipation narrower than normal stools unexplained weight loss constant tiredness blood in the stool feeling that the bowel does not empty completely abdominal discomfort: gas, bloating, fullness, cramps unexplained anemia vomiting If you experience any of these symptoms for more than a few days, talk to your doctor about them to determine the cause. Source: Colon Cancer Alliance, www.ccalliance.org.