Maria Parham Health is organizing a free Lunch & Learn event on March 31, 2026, to increase awareness about colorectal cancer and highlight the importance of early screening and prevention. The session will be held at noon in the John T. Church Classroom at Maria Parham Health. Although attendance is free and includes lunch, advance registration is required due to limited seating.
Colorectal cancer, which affects the colon and rectum, ranks as the third most common cancer diagnosed in the United States. Recent trends show a rise in cases among adults under age 50, a demographic previously considered lower risk.
Tracey D. Hight, FNP-C, MSN-Ed, RN, will lead the discussion during the event. Topics will include risk factors and warning signs of colorectal cancer, the necessity of screening for all adults including younger populations, prevention methods, healthy lifestyle choices, and current options for screening and treatment.
The aim of the Lunch & Learn is to equip attendees with practical information to help them manage their health proactively and encourage others to prioritize cancer prevention.
“The rise in colorectal cancer diagnoses among younger adults makes education and awareness more important than ever,” said Bert Beard, CEO of Maria Parham Health. “Events like this Lunch & Learn give our community an opportunity to learn about prevention, understand the importance of screening and take steps that could ultimately save lives.”
Detecting colorectal cancer early significantly improves treatment outcomes since screening can find precancerous polyps before they become cancerous.
Those interested in participating are encouraged to register ahead of time because space is limited. Additional details and registration are available at MariaParham.com.
