Town Engineer David Janover of Fountain Hills is urging individuals to take advantage of health screenings after a personal health scare revealed a cancerous mass during a routine checkup. His experience highlights the importance of preventative healthcare measures offered by the town.
Unexpected Diagnosis
In August, employees of the Town of Fountain Hills were provided with a preventative organ screening that utilized ultrasound technology to examine the liver, kidney, and heart. Janover initially viewed the screening as a mere formality, saying he had no symptoms and believed there were no health issues. However, his perspective changed dramatically when a technician identified a roughly 5cm mass on his right kidney, marking the highest level of concern on a scale from 0 to 5.
Janover described his initial reaction as one of denial, which quickly transitioned to deep concern. Follow-up appointments with his doctors confirmed that the mass was likely cancerous. “I was floored,” he recalled, struggling to reconcile the diagnosis with his previous belief that cancer was something that affected others, not himself.
Advocating for Preventative Care
Following the diagnosis, Janover underwent surgery to remove his entire kidney. Pathology reports confirmed that the mass was a rare type of slow-growing kidney cancer known as Chromophobe, and fortunately, it had not spread to other organs. Janover reflected on the gravity of the situation, stating that had he not participated in the screening, the cancer could have continued to grow undetected.
Now a strong advocate for preventative health measures, Janover expresses his gratitude for the screenings provided by the town. He encourages others to participate in similar opportunities, emphasizing the potential life-saving impact of early detection. “If you ever have this opportunity, just absolutely take advantage of it,” he advised.
A Message of Awareness
Janover’s experience has left him with a renewed sense of purpose as he aims to educate others about the significance of health screenings. He advises people to prioritize their health and consider preventative maintenance to avoid serious health issues in the future. “Try to take care of yourself,” he cautioned, “because if you don’t you can end up six feet under.”
His story serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive healthcare and the vital role that screenings can play in identifying potentially dangerous conditions early on.
Source: Town of Fountain Hills
