Beverly's Story: How Primary Care Helps Diagnose Colon Cancer

At 91 years old, Beverly Stein is still enjoying life outside with her friends and family. But, that almost was not the case. Her story, which she shares here, shows how a trusted relationship with a primary care provider can lead to an early diagnosis, a hard decision, and a full recovery.

Something Wasn't Right

Beverly started feeling off. She had trouble with her bowels. She felt tired. And, she felt uncomfortable in her lower body. She brought her concerns to her primary care provider, Katie Van Hoveln NP-C. “I would talk to her, and she would listen,” Beverly recalls. Together, they took things one step at a time.
Tests revealed low iron levels, which explained her fatigue. Further investigation uncovered something more serious. Beverly had colon cancer.

A Team That Moved Quickly

Katie referred Beverly to Dr. Basha, who wasted no time running additional tests. “I was very thankful that I didn't have to wait long,” Beverly shares.
Dr. Basha laid out her options clearly. She could do nothing. She could not do chemotherapy, given her age. Or, she could have surgery. He was honest that surgery came with real risk given her age, and that finding a surgeon willing to take on the case was not guaranteed.
Beverly did not hesitate. “If they gave me a time where they said I probably wouldn't live for another year, what choice did I have?” she notes. She chose surgery.

Hearing "You're Too Old" and Pressing Forward Anyway

Being told she might be too old for surgery shook Beverly at first. “I'm old, but I'm not that old, and we can get through it,” she remembers thinking. Dr. Basha connected with Katie again, and together they found Dr. Dang, a surgeon willing to take on Beverly's case. At 89 years old at the time, Beverly went into surgery. It went well.

Trust Made All the Difference

Throughout the process, Beverly leaned on the confidence she had in her care team. “I trusted them, and they kept giving me confidence that they could do it. I thought I can too then,” she emphasizes.
Beyond medical expertise, she noticed something else. Her providers cared. She remembers a woman named Carla in Dr. Patel's office who took time to encourage her along the way. “That meant a lot,” Beverly says. “I'm very thankful to know these people.”

An Inspiring Message for Others

Looking back, Beverly is grateful she spoke up when something felt wrong instead of dismissing it as a normal part of aging. Her advice for other older adults is simple and direct: “If you don't feel good, don't say, ‘That's old age.’ Check it out. Talk to your provider,” she urges. Her closing words carry the same spirit that has guided her recovery. “Keep moving.”
Today, Beverly is back to doing what she loves. She spends time outdoors, relaxes, and enjoys time with her family and friends. Her story is a reminder of what can happen when patients trust their instincts and their care team listens.
For more information, visit riversidehealthcare.org.