National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month: The team at Essentia Health “saved my life”

Colorectal cancer diagnosis catches 38-year-old Fargo resident by surprise
 
Billie Kitzman had been fatigued for months.
 
“I felt lethargic on a molecular level and was having weird left-side abdominal pain,” explained the 38-year-old Fargoan. At the time, she didn’t realize she was also losing weight and color in her face.
 
Kitzman attributed the pain and associated bleeding to her menstrual cycle, but this changed on Oct. 23, 2025. Kitzman recalls sitting at her work desk when she was hit by a wave of nausea.
 
“I left my computer on because I expected to be back,” explained Kitzman, who went to the walk-in at the Essentia Health-52nd Avenue Clinic. “I figured they would give me antibiotics and be like, ‘Your gut is weird.’ ”
 
Instead, she was sent to the emergency department at Essentia Health-Fargo. Testing revealed Kitzman’s hemoglobin level was 4.8 grams per deciliter. Blood transfusions typically begin when levels drop to seven.
 
Kitzman received five units of blood and underwent a computed tomography (CT) scan to determine the cause behind her low levels. Rachel DeHoogh, a nurse practitioner in gastroenterology, was also consulted. DeHoogh was with Kitzman when the imaging results came through. They showed a large mass in Kitzman’s lower abdomen.
 
Dr. Zachary Ernst, a general surgeon at Essentia, performed a colonoscopy the next day. A biopsy of the tumor was sent to pathology, and the results confirmed what was suspected — cancer.
 
“I named my tumor ‘Carla’ after an old high school geometry teacher — they both made my guts feel about the same,” joked Kitzman.
 
On Nov. 18, Dr. Ernst removed the mass, which measured three inches in diameter, along with several inches of Kitzman’s sigmoid colon and a portion of her small intestine.
 
In early December, Kitzman received a port and began chemotherapy under the care of Essentia oncologist Dr. Bassim Kobrossy. She currently undergoes treatment every other Monday.
 
Despite everything, Kitzman remains upbeat.
 
“This has been such a new experience for me in every way, but I’ve never felt alone or scared. That’s because of the team at Essentia,” she said. “They saved my life.”
 
And Kitzman’s message to others, including her six older siblings, is simple: Listen to your body.
 
Read a more detailed account of Kitzman’s story on the Essentia Health Newsroom and on her CaringBridge.
 
Colorectal cancer rising among younger adults
 
Kitzman’s diagnosis comes at a time when colorectal, or colon, cancer is increasingly affecting younger adults. According to a recent study, colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death for U.S. adults under the age of 50.
 
While the exact cause of early-onset colorectal cancer isn’t fully understood, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking, heavy alcohol use, certain diets and other environmental factors have all been associated with the disease. Symptoms can include unexplained weight loss, persistent abdominal pain or cramping, fatigue related to anemia and changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation or blood in the stool.
 
For individuals at average risk, regular screenings are recommended beginning at age 45. Those with a family history of colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease or other risk factors may need to begin earlier. Screening can detect colorectal cancer before symptoms begin — and in some cases prevent it entirely by removing precancerous polyps. When no polyps are found and there is no family history, colonoscopies are typically needed only once every 10 years.
 
To learn more about screening options or how to prepare for a colonoscopy, visit EssentiaHealth.org or schedule an appointment with your primary care provider.
 
 
PHOTO CAPTION: Billie Kitzman
 
 
MORE ESSENTIA HEALTH NEWS
 
Visit the Essentia Health Newsroom for other important updates, patient stories and media resources.



ABOUT ESSENTIA HEALTH
 
Essentia Health’s mission is to make a healthy difference in people’s lives. An integrated nonprofit health system, Essentia relentlessly pursues that mission at our 14 hospitals, 80 clinics, 29 retail pharmacies, six long-term care facilities, three assisted living facilities, two independent living facilities, seven ambulance services and one research institute. Essentia has more than 16,000 employees, including 2,450 physicians and advanced practitioners who provide expert, compassionate care. We’re privileged to serve patients in Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin.