Surviving Cancer: An Interview With Frances Koons

This story was originally posted in May of 2009 at Imperfect Women. We wanted to re-post this so that readers new to Imperfect Women would have an opportunity to read about Frances. You can also follow Frances Koons on Facebook at Frances Koons: Running for Life!

Villanova University cross-country and track star, Frances Koons competed in the historic Penn Relay races April 23 and 24. Named All-American eight times, Frances has proven herself a fierce competitor and team leader in her college running career. She won the College Women’s Distance Medley Championship of America in 2006. The 23 year-old math major is not just a champion on the course. In spring of 2007, the elite runner was diagnosed with clear-cell renal carcinoma. In the summer of 2007, doctors removed a golf-ball sized tumor from her left kidney. Less than one year later, during the July 4th weekend of 2008, Frances achieved two goals: beating cancer, and running in the US Olympic track and field trials.

IW - How did you discover the cancer?

FK -The cancer was discovered inadvertently in a trip to the ER. I had some pain in my abdominal area. It was over fall break 2006 at school when we were training for cross-country so the health center was closed. My parents and coach had me go to the ER in Bryn Mawr to be sure it wasn’t something serious like appendicitis. They did a few scans and concluded that the pain was from an ovarian cyst, which is common in women. I was embarrassed to go to the ER for something so small. Thank God, I did because the CT scan read that I had a small mass on my kidney. The ER doctor told me I should get that checked out. Not thinking it was something serious, I waited until I was finished with school and got it checked out over the summer. An ultrasound confirmed it was solid and not a cyst. After another CT scan, the doctor told my parents that he was “95%” sure the tumor was cancerous and had to come out. My parents broke the news to me.

IW – This must have been devastating at your young age. How did you handle the news?

FK -For most, the word cancer is associated with chemo, suffering, and loss of loved ones. My parents were very honest with me about everything the doctor relayed to them because I was at work when he called. They both drove to me during my lunch break to tell me in person. I am so fortunate to have such strong, loving parents. I cried a little, we talked about everything we knew, which wasn’t much at that point, and then they offered to drive me home or, if I wanted, to continue my day at work. I opted for the latter and it was such a great suggestion because I worked at a kids’ summer camp and kids are just about the best people to be around when you are down or have something on your mind. They never let you take yourself too seriously. We caught the cancer early. The overwhelming support and prayers from my friends and family was simply inspiring. There are many who have shared their cancer battles and stories with me since my story came out in the media. I am so humbled by all of these. They have gone through far more difficult treatments and scares than I ever had to during my short time with cancer. I have drawn strength from that and it is a driving force for me to give my all in whatever I do because of the life God has blessed me with.

IW – How long was your recovery?

FK - My surgery was August 7, 2007. I took a brief 6 weeks off from running, and had a very slow and gradual build-up from 20 minutes of running every few days to running hard again in January.

IW – Are you cured?

FK – Yep.

IW - Was competing in the Olympic Trials a goal for you?

FK - Yes. After the surgery, I took things one-step at a time and didn’t try to overdo it. Once I saw the kind of shape I got myself in, I set that as a goal because I knew it was feasible.

IW - What was your Olympic Trials experience like?

FK – It was kind of awe-inspiring to be around the fabulous runners I have grown up reading about or have seen winning major championships. It gave me confidence to mix it up a bit with the elites in my race. Track Town U.S.A. (Eugene, OR) was also very welcoming.

IW - What do you hope to be doing in five years?

FK – I definitely plan to be running (and hopefully fast), and I’d like to be using my degree of course. I have a B.S. in Mathematics, and M.S. in Applied Statistics. I don’t know what I’ll do exactly, but I do have an internship with the USDA this summer.

Tags: Cancer Survivors Clear-cell renal carcinoma College Women's Distance Medley Championship of America Cross Country Frances Koons Penn Relay races US Olympic track and field trials. Villanova University Women in sports