Local lieutenant shares story of coping with cancer

Marco Santana has been a law enforcement officer for more than 16 years, so he is used to putting his life on the line.

In 2011, when Santana was 30 years old, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.

Marco, who has been married for 13 years, has two daughters ages 11 and 8.

Marco’s urologist, Dr. Nash, referred him to Yuma Regional Medical Center for cancer care.

” I had a phenomenal doctor named Brenda Carroll who is now retired. She’s the one that took on my case. Obviously, I’m not a doctor, but I was always under the impression that maybe I would need a little bit of chemo. ” Santana recalls.

Marco underwent a procedure called an orchiectomy which involves the removal of a testicle.

Marco did not require any chemo or radiation and has now been cancer free for eight years.

After his surgery, Marco’s progress was closely monitored throughout a surveillance period which he underwent CT scans and x-rays every three months.

Marco credits his deep faith for getting him through his battle with cancer.