In recognition of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Lawrence Memorial Hospital is hosting a free educational program.

“Straight Talk About Colorectal Cancer” will be from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday at the hospital, 325 Maine.

Dr. William Freund and Dr. Eston Schwartz will discuss treatment, definition and incidence of colorectal cancer, prevention facts, effective screening mechanisms, risk factors, surgical interventions, chemotherapy treatment options, and emerging chemotherapy treatments in clinical trials. A colorectal survivor will share his story. Informational displays will be available.

Colon cancer can strike at any age, but nine out of 10 new cases are in people age 50 or older, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. In Kansas, nearly 1,400 cases of colorectal cancer were diagnosed in 2005, and more than 500 people died from the disease in 2007.

The program is free; advance registration is requested. Refreshments will be served. For more information or to enroll, contact LMH ConnectCare at 749-5800 or lmh.org.