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He had just began enjoying retirement -- golfing and traveling with his wife. However, his retirement was cut short when he was diagnosed with cancer. “He went through a lot,” said Vera Kapfer of Akron, about her husband, the late Don Kapfer. “Maybe he wouldn’t have if we had known the symptoms.” “He never really said anything about having trouble swallowing,” said Vera, who knows now that her husband probably had the cancer a year or even two before he was diagnosed. “He wasn’t one to complain and he was hardly ever sick.” He’d choked on a piece of hamburger at a summer barbecue and a month later, a piece of cantaloupe. Vera thought Don probably just needed his esophagus stretched like she’d had done several years ago. But just over a year into retirement, he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Don had his esophagus stretched and began radiation and chemotherapy. In December, he had surgery to remove the tumorous growth but he was already in Stage 4, the final cancerous stage. On Jan. 28, 2007, Don passed away -- just after his second retirement anniversary. Some people won’t go for a medical test called an endoscopy that checks for esophageal problems, said Vera, but she wants people to watch for the signs and have the test. According to the Mayo Clinic Web site, “It’s unusual to have signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer in the early stages of the disease. When the disease is more advanced, esophageal cancer symptoms may include: • Difficulty swallowing. Although this is the most common symptom of esophageal cancer, it usually doesn’t appear until a tumor has grown large enough to narrow your esophagus to about half its normal width. At this point, meat and bread may be nearly impossible to swallow, and you may unconsciously change your eating habits, chewing more thoroughly and carefully, or switching to softer foods. In time, even liquids may be hard to swallow. • Unintentional weight loss. As eating becomes more difficult, you may not consume enough calories to maintain your weight. In addition, cancer in general can cause weight loss and muscle wasting because it changes the way your body metabolizes nutrients. • Pain in your throat, in your mid-chest or between your shoulder blades. Although not common, you sometimes might have pain when you swallow or discomfort or burning behind your breastbone. • Hoarseness, hiccups and sometimes vomiting of blood. These signs and symptoms usually don’t appear until cancer is quite advanced.” Vera encourages anyone with symptoms to talk with their family members and their doctor and to have the test. “This is what can happen afterwards,” said Vera. “He’s gone, and he was only 71.” “Talk to your husband or wife about how you’re feeling,” she added. As she grieves the loss of her husband of nearly 50 years, Vera told The Akron Hometowner, “We’d never heard much about esophageal cancer. If we would have known, it might have made a difference.” “Although researchers don’t know all the causes of esophageal cancer, they have identified several factors that can damage DNA in your esophagus,” according to the Mayo Clinic Web site. “These factors include: • Diet. Eating a diet low in fruits and vegetables appears to contribute to esophageal cancer. • Heavy alcohol consumption. • Tobacco use in any form. • Chronic acid reflux, and • Obesity.” Since Don’s illness and death, Vera has learned about others who’ve had esophageal cancer in Akron. “If one person gets checked because I spoke out, it’ll be worth it,” said Vera. “It was horrible going through this.” One person has already been helped -- their son, David. Although his esophagus problems weren’t cancer, David told his mother he probably wouldn’t have had the test -- just kept suffering. Now, the doctors are treating his problems and watching for signs of esophageal cancer. “Maybe Don’s going through this will help others,” said Vera.