WILKES-BARRE– Aimee Kearny did not know she had colorectal cancer.
In fact, the 45-year-old believed she was in good health until she had trouble swallowing in the summer of 2022 and went to her doctor.
What she thought was a standard blood test revealed very low hemoglobin levels, leading to an emergency room visit for a blood transfusion, followed by an endoscopy and colonoscopy a few days later.
The colonoscopy results showed a walnut-sized tumor in her rectum, despite showing almost no symptoms.
Kearny said, “At first, I couldn't believe it.”
“I was surprised and couldn’t believe this was happening to me. It felt like an out-of-body experience, but then I immediately focused on surviving.”
Kearny, who has two daughters aged 22 and 17, said she had to demonstrate to them that her diagnosis was not the end.
“Things happen and this was my thing. I faced it head on, stayed positive, and I think that was crucial. I was sad, but not angry. I didn't ask 'why me?' or wish it happened to someone else.”
After her diagnosis, she underwent months of oral and IV chemotherapy and radiation, and had surgery to remove her rectum, anus, and 80% of her colon, and to create a permanent colostomy.
Aimee and her father, Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown, organized a colorectal cancer awareness event, “Aimee’s Story,” at the Burke Auditorium at the McGowan School of Business on the campus of King’s College. She said the event aimed to prevent others from going through the same experience.
During the event, Aimee shared her journey from discovering she had colorectal cancer, through treatment, surgeries, and recovery to becoming cancer-free.
The event also featured a panel discussion led by Wilkes-Barre native Thomas Mangan, M.D., a retired gastroenterologist at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. Geisinger physicians Dr. Julie Jiang, radiation oncology; Dr. Thomas Erchinger, colon and rectal surgery; Dr. Ahmad Hanif, hematology oncology; and Dr. Duane Deivert, gastroenterology, were also part of the panel.
About 100 people attended the event, which provided detailed information about colorectal prevention, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
According to Aimee, the disease is seldom discussed due to its perceived taboo nature — a situation she hoped the panel would change.
“It’s very important to discuss this in the community, because I want people to raise awareness so they know it is preventable and if they catch it early, they have a good chance of surviving it. It’s not an easy topic to talk about, but it’s necessary,” Kearny said.
One in 24 Americans are at risk of developing colorectal cancer — a statistic that Kearny believes could be reduced with proper screening and testing.
“Don’t hesitate to get tested. It’s important, and I think in this day and age, with more younger people being diagnosed, something needs to change, maybe more diagnosis and testing,” Kearny said.
When it comes to getting screening done, Kearny said it’s something you have to do even though it's not enjoyable, because the benefit is significant.
“The colonoscopy isn't as awful as people make it out to be. It's not pleasant – the night before is horrible – but the relief you feel after a successful screening is indescribable. You can't express the relief you feel when they come in and tell you that you don't have to worry about this for another ten years,” she said.
After the program ended, many people approached the medical professionals to ask questions and share their own stories. According to Kearny and Brown, this is exactly the purpose of the event.
“It was a fantastic turnout, and even if they didn't know me and were just coming to get information, that's exactly what this event is for. We wanted people to come here and ask a question that they wouldn't normally have the chance to ask,” Kearny said.
“Hopefully, the main message that came across was the importance of getting tested. Don’t hesitate to get it done – it could save a life,” Brown said.