In the fall of 2025, Joncee Kohls was in Alabama to help her sister recover from a car accident. During her six-week stay, Joncee began experiencing troubling symptoms. She felt pain in her abdomen, just under her lungs, and lost around 10 pounds because eating was difficult.
Initially, she thought her symptoms were due to an increase in her diabetes medications. Her doctor had recently doubled her dosage, and she assumed he would make adjustments when she returned home. However, after a follow-up appointment in November, her doctor was worried. Joncee’s weight loss and persistent pain, along with her unmanageable glucose levels, raised concerns about pancreatic cancer. He ordered a scan.
When the results came back, they were shocking. Joncee had a mass in her pancreas. Her doctor quickly referred her to UCLA Health for further evaluation.
Dr. Adam Cavallero, a primary care physician at UCLA Health, recalled the urgency of the situation, especially with the holiday season approaching. The referral got passed around among specialists because no immediate appointments were available. Eventually, Joncee was seen by Dr. Lauren Beshay, an endocrinologist. While she monitors glucose levels, the primary concern was to confirm whether the mass was cancerous.
At Joncee’s first appointment on December 16, Dr. Cavallero learned about her family history; her sister had lost her battle with pancreatic cancer just a few years earlier. This understandably made the visit emotional. Though a biopsy was still needed for an official diagnosis, Dr. Cavallero suspected malignancy and arranged for a biopsy soon after.
Despite the busy holiday season, everyone quickly rallied to help Joncee. On December 19, she saw Dr. Julie Huynh, an oncologist, and just days later, she underwent an endoscopic ultrasound biopsy, which confirmed the presence of pancreatic cancer that had spread to her lungs.
Dr. Huynh recommended immediate chemotherapy, but Joncee also qualified for a clinical trial led by Dr. Zev Wainberg at UCLA. This trial focuses on targeting the mutated KRAS protein, often found in pancreatic cancer patients. About 93% of those diagnosed with this type of cancer have this mutation.
On February 3, Joncee started the treatment, which involved taking three pills each day. Remarkably, within just 11 days, her pain disappeared. “I was curled up on the couch before,” she said, “but now I’ve had no pain pills.”
Her first scan in mid-March showed a 50% reduction in her cancer cells, a promising sign. Dr. Wainberg emphasized that responses to treatment vary, but Joncee’s initial results were encouraging. This new medication has fewer side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy, though a rash is common.
Looking forward, Joncee will have regular check-ups and scans every eight weeks. She continues to work with Dr. Beshay for glucose monitoring and manages her diabetes more effectively now that her cancer is being treated.
Dr. Beshay can remotely monitor her glucose levels via a sensor connected to Joncee’s phone. This allows for 24/7 tracking, making it easier to manage her health. The collaboration among Joncee’s healthcare team is vital. With all her records in one electronic system, they can efficiently share information and work together on her care.
Coordinated care is especially beneficial for complex cases like Joncee’s. As Dr. Cavallero put it, “This is the best-case scenario for the patient.” By working seamlessly within the same health system, they can provide Joncee with the comprehensive support she needs in her fight against cancer.
Additional Insights
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most challenging cancers to diagnose and treat. According to recent statistics from the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is only around 10%. This low figure highlights the importance of early detection and effective treatment options. In Joncee’s case, the rapid response and teamwork among her healthcare providers played a crucial role in her treatment journey.
As Dr. Wainberg noted, advancements in targeted therapies are a beacon of hope for many patients battling this aggressive disease. Research is ongoing, and the potential for new treatments continues to grow, offering optimism to patients and families alike.
For further updates on ongoing trials and research, visit the UCLA Health website.
