Patient Stories - Community Cancer Center

Devon’s Breast Cancer Story: A Family Affair

Devon Steen of Cedar Rapids didn’t have a significant history of breast cancer in her family, but in late 2018, at the young age of 27, she felt a lump in her breast. After a visit with her primary care

Second Opinion, Second Chance

In early 2019, Angela Fitzgerald of Iowa City started feeling “off.” She kept picking up colds and had a hard time kicking them. She initially attributed this to her work environment, as she had recently started a new job at

Screening CT Scan Saves Terry Johnson’s Life

Terry Johnson of Cedar Rapids is a retired factory worker and served our country in the Vietnam War. He’s also a former smoker, having smoked a pack a day for 34 years before he kicked the habit in 2001. Based

Angel Tree Gift Helps Patient Repair Dryer, Install Handrail

JoAnn Nachtman has been without a working clothes dryer for three years. St. Luke’s Cancer Services’ Angel Tree program helped her pay for repairs and install a handrail on the steps leading to her front door. “The outlet to my

Katie DeBower says “I Don’t” to Breast Cancer

At just 31 years old, and in the middle of planning her wedding, breast cancer was the last thing on Katie DeBower’s mind. But as the big day was approaching, she felt a lump, and knowing her family history, she

Biking for a Cause: 2500 Miles for Colon Cancer Awareness

In July 2019, 38-year-old Zach Douglas of Cedar Rapids, IA underwent a CT scan. In the months prior, he had been experiencing various symptoms. Abdominal pain, blood in his stools and he had been running a fever for weeks on

Steve’s Story: Lung Cancer Remarkably Detected Through Heart Scan

Steve Miller, age 71, of Cedar Rapids has been a mild smoker since his days in the army. He explains he has generally felt healthy for most of his life, but learned otherwise when he underwent a preventative screening. “I

Sherri Conrad is Grateful for Supportive, Compassionate Care

Sherri Conrad of Cedar Rapids, IA has spent the majority of her career in health care. She had the opportunity to be a traveling nurse and spent years living in various parts of the country. In 2017, at the age

Staying Active Helps Rick Fight Prostate Cancer

“I was terribly overwhelmed when I learned my diagnosis,” says Rick Flockhart, a prostate cancer patient who utilized the Helen G. Nassif Community Cancer Center. “I’m thankful for my care team and their help in making the best decision for

Pat’s Story: Cancer Prevention Can Begin with Knowing Your Family History

Pat Brady was attending a family reunion in the summer of 2018 when she learned several cousins had undergone predictive genetic testing for cancer. With a history of cancer throughout her immediate family, it made her pause and think about

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