Screening Without Stigma 💩

More than 200 people made their way through a giant, inflatable colon at CPMC’s Van Ness campus hospital (1101 Van ness Ave.) on March 31 to participate in the hospital's first ever Colorectal Cancer Awareness Fair, hosted by CPMC’s GI department during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

The walkthrough educational fair offered CPMC staff, faculty and patients a positive, upbeat and welcoming environment to learn more about colorectal cancer screening and its importance. Participants tested out screening equipment, explored educational exhibits, played games, won prizes and chatted with gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons.

“Our Colorectal Cancer Awareness Fair at Sutter CPMC was a huge success. Seeing a former rectal cancer patient of mine there unexpectedly meant a lot,” said Dr. Anthony Squillaro, colon and rectal surgeon, pictured above with his former patient. “We often meet people at a very difficult point in their lives, so to later see them doing well and supporting the effort today is incredibly meaningful. It’s a reminder of why I’m committed to caring for patients with colorectal cancer.”

Sutter Health hospitals across Northern California have been named top performers by the Integrated Healthcare Association for high colon cancer screening rates that lead to early cancer detection and better patient outcomes. Sutter cancer centers have also earned accreditation from the American College of Surgeons for providing comprehensive cancer care.

Learn more here.