The American Cancer Society designates March as colorectal cancer awareness month. In observance, Texas County Memorial Hospital in Houston offers free colorectal cancer screenings in March.
Area residents may contact TCMH for a free colon cancer screening kit through March 29. The screening includes a fecal occult blood test kit for those who are older than 50 or for those who are younger 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 number fourth most common type of cancer killer in Missouri and the third leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., officials note.
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 people 45 and older who are 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 10 years. A person 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 kit or more information about colon cancer, contact Jason Mayberry, education director at TCMH, by calling 866-967-3311 or 417-967-1340, or emailing Mayberry at Jason.mayberry@tcmh.org. Leave a name, address and phone number when calling or emailing for a kit.
All kits must be returned to TCMH by April 15 for processing.
