But colon cancer is preventable. Men and women should start
screening at the age of 50. Only 59.8 percent of Logan County
residents get colonoscopy screenings, down 3 percent since 2010. The
Center for Disease Control states that if all adults 50 and over had
regular screenings, 60 percent of colon cancer deaths would be
prevented.
To recognize March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Abraham
Lincoln Memorial Hospital will offer a limited number of free
colorectal screening kits. Individuals are encouraged to visit the
ALMH lobby at 200 Stahlhut Drive in Lincoln on Tuesday, March 14
from 8am-12:30pm or Wednesday, March 15 from 1pm-4:30pm.
The free screening test is one way patients can determine whether
they may have colorectal cancer or be at risk of the disease.
Individuals will be responsible for the cost of mailing the sample
to the lab for testing.
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“The kit is easy and can be done at home,” says Angela Stoltzenburg, ALMH
marketing and community partnerships manager. “However, it can’t recognize all
polyps, only those that are bleeding. The best screening is a colonoscopy. It is
the only test that can detect and prevent colon cancer,” said Stoltzenburg.
The free screening kits are being provided by ALMH in collaboration with the
Regional Cancer Partnership. For more information about colonoscopy at Abraham
Lincoln Memorial Hospital, call 217-605-5370 or visit ALMH.org.
[Angela Stoltzenburg, MBA
Marketing and Community Partnerships Manager
Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital] |