On Sunday, March 3, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc. Greater Seattle Chapter partnered to co-host the Colorectal Cancer Community Awareness Event at Seattle's First African Methodist Episcopal (FAME) Church, highlighting awareness for colorectal cancer and spotlighting measures to prevent from getting it. Dr. Rachel Issaka, the Director of the Population Health Colorectal Cancer Screening Program at Fred Hutch and UW Medicine, emphasized the importance of holding such events. the importance of holding such events.

"March is colorectal cancer awareness month, and colon cancer is one of the most common cancers. But we can all do things to reduce our risk, including getting screened, eating healthier foods, moving our bodies, and knowing our family history," Issaka said. "This March and every month of the year, we want people to know about colon cancer and to do all they can to reduce their risk."

Regarding FAME being picked as the venue to host this event, the decision was intentional. According to research published by the American Cancer Society in 2020, African Americans are about 20% more likely to get colon cancer than any group and 40% more likely to die from it.

"Black and Native people have some of the highest deaths from colon cancer in the country," Issaka said. "We wanted to be here at Fame in Seattle to alert the Black community about their risk of colorectal cancer, to let them know that this can be reduced with screenings and, importantly, for black people to begin conversations with their families so that they understand what their family risk is."

Attendees at the event were able to connect with various healthcare resources, including physicians, dieticians, and experts in cancer prevention, to discuss how to mitigate their cancer risk. Furthermore, the event included colorectal cancer survivors as speakers, sharing their stories of overcoming colon cancer. Among those speakers was Frankie White, a 20-year colon cancer survivor.

"Colon cancer doesn't have to be a death sentence if you catch it early. I was in stage three; stage four is basically terminal. I was 35, so that was early. Most people are much older," White said. "I just want people to know that if they notice something unusual, that's abnormal, get checked out and talk with their primary care physician."

During her time battling colon cancer, White had to go through multiple radiation treatments, an ileostomy, an ileostomy reversal, and chemotherapy. 

"One tip my best friend gave me for when I was feeling overwhelmed is just figure out how you'll get through today, and then for tomorrow, get through tomorrow," White said. Your stringing days together."

Throughout White's fight against colon cancer, she maintained an extensive network, including her family, her church, and support groups. Additionally, she participated in YMCA exercise programs, which played a role in rebuilding her health after beating colon cancer. Reflecting on this time, White shared two pieces of advice she picked up during her fight and recovery from cancer.

"Being vulnerable is not a sign of weakness. It's a sign of strength. So it's okay to ask for help and accept help and accept help in whatever form it is. Somebody might say, "Okay, I'm going to take you grocery shopping. But maybe that's not what you wanted," White said. "Just accept what people want to give. It could be something very simple, flowers, or it could just be a smile; who knows? But accept that with grace. Then the other is to be kind to yourself and treat yourself as you would a friend."

While the recommended age to begin colon cancer screenings is 45, White is an example that noticing symptoms at any age is more important than ever. Issaka highlighted that people with a family history of colon cancer need to start screenings earlier and that, as of right now, colon cancer is increasing in younger people without any family history, meaning that staying vigilant for warning signs is crucial. Potential indications of colon cancer that both White and Issaka talked about are abdominal pain, thin pencil-shaped stools, and blood in their stool.

"What we do know is that people born in or after the 1960s are at higher risk than those born earlier. So that speaks to something in the environment: the foods we consume, the air we breathe, and the medications we receive. We also know there has been an increase in the Westernized lifestyle, which means less movement and more processed foods," Issaka said. "I think it's all a combination of those things that's leading to what we see is the increase of colon cancer in younger people, and that's a place to start. This is an area of ongoing interest, and we will certainly learn more in the years to come."