Getting tested can prevent colon cancer
KRHC to provide free colon cancer test kits on May 20

Kossuth Regional Health Center is teaming up with the American Cancer Society and Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa to sponsor free colorectal screenings to raise awareness that colon cancer, the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., is largely preventable. Free colorectal screening kits will be available at KRHC on Wednesday, May 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the hospital lobby.

The free kit involves a fecal occult blood test, a simple at-home procedure that checks stool samples for hidden blood, which can be a sign of cancer, polyps, or other internal disorders.  All results are kept confidential and mailed directly back to the home address provided at the time the kit is picked up.  It is up to the patient to share the results with his or her health care provider.

Colon cancer testing can find and remove polyps before they turn into cancer, preventing the disease from ever occurring. Even if cancer is found, when detected early, colon cancer has a 90 percent survival rate. Unfortunately, only 39 percent of colon cancers are detected at this stage.

If you are age 50 or older, even if you have no family history of the disease, you are at risk for colon cancer and should ask your physician about getting tested or pick up a free kit. People with a family or personal history of colon cancer or polyps or history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease should be tested earlier, and may need to undergo testing more often. 

For more information about colorectal screenings, call Mercy Cancer Center and speak to the Colon Cancer Care Coordinator, Lisa Baltierra at 1-800-433-3883 ext. 7024 or 641-422-7024.