Still on the court: Precision Oncology kept a Veteran’s life on track – VA News (.gov)

Still on the court: Precision Oncology kept a Veteran’s life on track  VA News (.gov)

VA Precision Oncology provides faster, personalized cancer treatment plans through advanced molecular testing, improving the quality of life for Veterans. When Navy Veteran Bob Thomason reflects on his service, he smiles and says he “did everything but fly the plane.” As a naval flight officer from 1964 to 1969, he traveled the world, including Vietnam and nearby regions, where precision and teamwork defined every mission. Today, at 83, he brings that same spirit to the pickleball courts in California. He plays three times a week for two hours, staying active and connected to friends who energize him. Thomason’s cancer journey began not with symptoms, but with a routine annual exam. His primary care provider, Dr.

Soleyman Rokhsar, noticed a slight but unusual deviation in his iron levels. That small finding prompted an early colonoscopy, which revealed a mass. Followup testing confirmed it had spread to nearby lymph nodes. “I wasn’t shocked or devastated,” Thomason said. “They presented the findings, and I said, ‘OK, where do you go from here?’” He also shared how confident he felt continuing his care with VA. “I have been a patient with VA since 2010 and have been very pleased with all the care received, from primary care to now, very specialized care. It felt like the right place to continue my healthcare.” That trust