Free Colon Cancer Screening Kits To Be Provided By Washington County Health Department

Washington County Health Department is offering an easier way to screen for colorectal cancer. Take-home fecal immunochemical tests {FIT) will be made available for individuals who are 50 years and older and have not had a colonoscopy in the last 10 years.
According to the American Cancer Society website, “Regular colorectal cancer screening is one of the most powerful weapons against colorectal cancer. When colorectal cancer is found at an early stage before it has spread, the 5-year relative survival rate is about 90%.”
Regular colonoscopies, can often find colorectal cancer early, when it is most likely to be curable, or prevent it altogether.
For many reasons, people do not get a colonoscopy after the age of 50. Although the FIT is not meant to take the place of a colonoscopy, it is an option for people looking for a comfortable way to screen for colon cancer.
The goal of Washington County Health Department is to make the process more accommodating by offering these kits to individuals who are eligible.
FIT screening is a yearly test that is done with no preparation and in the privacy of a person’s own home.
For more information please contact: Babs Frederking, RN, Washington County Health Dept., 177 S. Washington St., Nashville, IL Monday -Friday, 8am-4pm, 618-327-3644.