Early detection of cancer is critical. In most cases of pancreatic cancer, early detection can mean the difference between life and death.

In the case of Mildred Kumoda, regular CT scans did not clearly indicate a pancreatic lesion. Yet, something wasnʼt right.

“Mildredʼs case was very puzzling,” says Dr. James Kakuda, her surgical oncologist at Pali Momi Medical Center. “She had very vague symptoms, some abdominal pain. But I was worried that she was losing weight, with no clear indication why.”

In November 2007, Pali Momi added a powerful new weapon to fight cancer: an “endoscopic ultrasound.” It helps doctors detect tumors at a very early stage. Mildred soon became the first patient in Hawaiʻi to undergo an “endoscopic ultrasound biopsy” – which revealed the lesion in her pancreas.

“Mildredʼs cancer is localized only to the pancreas,” Dr. Kakuda says. “It has not spread to other parts of her body.”