Allegheny Valley Hospital hosts free program on the importance of colon cancer screenings

A free workshop on the dangers of colon cancer, and the benefits of early screening, will be hosted at Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison.

Surgeon Steven Gribar will present the free seminar April 21 to discuss the second deadliest form of cancer in the United States.

“Colorectal cancer is a very common diagnosis that we see,” said Gribar, who joined Allegheny Health Network last year. “The other side of that is that, with appropriate screening, 60% of deaths could be avoided.”

The program, “The Importance of Colorectal Screening: A Surgeon’s View,” is made available through the hospital’s PriorityCare program.

In years past, people 50 or older were recommended for colon cancer screenings. That guideline was amended in 2021 by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which lowered the recommended screening age to 45.

“We are all at risk for colorectal cancer, so this program benefits the general population,” Gribar said.

One in 20 people in the country will get colon cancer in their lifetime, Gribar said.

Based on family history, some are at higher risk. But the disease is so common that a screening is suggested for all.

Gribar will discuss the various screening methods, among them colonoscopies, that can detect tumors or small growths known as polyps.

In addition to possible findings, Gribar will talk about next steps if someone is diagnosed.

According to AHN, data show the incidence of early-age onset of colorectal cancer climbed annually between 2006 and 2015 among people 45 to 49.

Many people with colon cancer have no symptoms, which magnifies the importance of screening.

This is the first time Gribar is presenting the program at Allegheny Valley Hospital.

“If there’s good response, it’s something we would like to do again,” he said.

Group size is limited to allow time for individual questions. For reservations, call 724-226-7339.