NJ Assemblyman Has Colorectal Cancer Surgery Monday and Dines With Mayor Tuesday Night

John Peter Allen is nothing if not busy. The former New Jersey assemblyman and lawyer says that while his days are often packed with meetings and work, he always makes his health a priority. That’s why, when it came time for his annual physical, he made sure to keep his appointment and complete all necessary screenings, including bloodwork. He’s thankful he did. 

“My bloodwork came back with very low iron levels, which my doctor found concerning. He asked me how I was feeling, and I said ‘I don’t know, I’m a man in my 40s. I just thought I was supposed to feel like this,” says John. 

John’s low iron levels indicated he was losing blood, so doctors suggested a colonoscopy. During the colonoscopy, surgeons discovered several polyps and bleeding. There was one large polyp that was especially concerning, so John was referred to the Advanced and Therapeutic Endoscopy Team at Hackensack University Medical Center. 

Minimally Invasive Solution

John says he was pleasantly surprised at the speed of his care. He met via telehealth with colorectal surgeon Michel Kahaleh, M.D., who suggested a minimally invasive procedure to remove the polyp. He was scheduled for the procedure just days later.

“During an endoscopic mucosal resection, we can remove the polyp without traditional surgery. It’s a fairly quick procedure with no scarring, less bleeding and less chance of infection,” says Dr. Kahaleh. 

John had his procedure at Hackensack University Medical Center on a Monday late afternoon and stayed overnight for observation. He says he never felt like he was in a hospital. 

“I felt like I was at a hotel. I received great care and had all the comforts of home,” he says. 

The day after the procedure, Dr. Kahaleh told John that pathology confirmed the polyp was cancer. Fortunately, he was able to get everything during the procedure, so no further treatment was needed. 

From the Hospital to Greece in Just Three Days

After John left the hospital, he was able to resume his normal activities. In fact, just a few hours after his discharge, he attended a work dinner with several high-profile government officials, including the mayor of Jersey City. 

“I didn’t eat a lot, but I was amazed at how well I felt following the surgery,” says John. 

Since John had a trip to Greece planned just days after his procedure, his doctors recommended he go through a full battery of tests, just to be safe. He had an EKG, blood tests and imaging and was ultimately given the green light to go on vacation. 

Dr. Kahaleh says that John was lucky to find the tumor when he did. “People are being diagnosed with colon cancer younger. Screenings don’t start until age 45, but it’s important to watch for signs of an issue, such as extreme fatigue, weight loss or low iron levels. If John didn’t follow through with his recommended health appointments, his outcome could have been much worse,” he says. 

John says that while he was on vacation, he thought a lot about the ‘bullet’ he dodged. “I am so lucky,” he says. “I am definitely a huge advocate of yearly physicals; without mine, I may not be here.”

Next Steps & Resources

• Meet our expert: Michel Kahaleh, M.D.
• Make an appointment online with Dr. Kahaleh, or call 800-822-8905. 
• Find a gastroenterologist near you