On a recent episode of “The Day With Trae,” host Trae Holiday welcomed Dr. Rachel Issaka, a gastroenterologist from Fred Hutch Cancer Center, dedicated to improving colorectal cancer awareness and screening rates, particularly within underrepresented communities.

Dr. Issaka shared clinical insights from her time in Chicago, where she observed a significant divide: Black and Latino patients were more hesitant to undergo screening, despite being more likely to get and die from colon cancer compared to their white counterparts.

Now practicing in the Pacific Northwest through Fred Hutch and UW Medicine, Dr. Issaka is actively implementing strategies to dismantle these barriers. Her innovative approach includes the successful distribution of at-home testing kits, a program that has helped raise screening rates in Fred Hutch’s health system from 62% to 73%, she said.

To continue increasing awareness, Fred Hutch is hosting a community education event on Saturday, March 7th, 2026, at the Matt Griffin YMCA in SeaTac. This free, family-friendly event will feature a lifesize inflatable colon, physicians available for booking appointments, health insurance assistance, free food, and music.

Dr. Issaka’s call to action is clear: "Let's just start normalizing these conversations very early on so we can all take better care of ourselves and our families.”

Register for the event today at bit.ly/4qV2MXu. Registration is not required.

Catch “The Day With Trae” Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11 a.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.