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The American Cancer Society designates March as colorectal cancer awareness month. In observance of this month, Texas County Memorial Hospital offers free colorectal cancer screening kits.
Area residents may contact TCMH for a free colon cancer screening kit through Friday, March 28. The screening includes a fecal occult blood test kit for individuals over 45 or for younger individuals if they have risk factors for colorectal cancer. The kit and information about colorectal cancer will be mailed to participants. Instructions will be included with the kit.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in Missouri and the United States. One in 24 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in their lifetime.
However, the American College of Gastroenterologists calls colorectal cancer one of the most preventable and curable types of cancer when detected early. One way to detect colorectal cancer early is to be screened using the fecal occult blood test.
The American Cancer Society recommends that individuals over 45 at average risk follow these screening guidelines for colon cancer: yearly fecal occult blood test; flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years; double contrast barium enema every five years; and colonoscopy every ten years. An individual who has a family history or a personal history of colorectal cancer, polyps, or inflammatory bowel disease may begin colorectal cancer screening at an earlier age as directed by a physician.
There are several symptoms of colorectal cancer. Symptoms may include a change in bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool that lasts for more than a few days; a feeling of needing to have a bowel movement that is not relieved by doing so; rectal bleeding or blood in the stool; cramping or steady abdominal pain or weakness and fatigue.
Other health conditions may also cause these symptoms. Only a physician can determine the cause of suspicious symptoms. Individuals should discuss any symptoms with their physician as early as possible.
To request a free screening kit or additional information about colon cancer, contact Jason Mayberry, education director at TCMH, by calling 1-866-967-3311 or (417) 967-1340 or e-mail Mayberry at [email protected] Please leave your name, address, and phone number when calling or e-mailing for a screening kit.
Supplies are limited, so act quickly—your health matters, and early detection saves lives! All kits must be returned to TCMH for processing by April 11, 2025.