Logan County Department of Public Health urges prevention for Colon Cancer

[March 13, 2023] 

For many Americans, colorectal cancer is an all-too-common reality. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men and women. It is also the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.

The CDC recommends that regular screening, beginning at age 45, is the key to preventing colorectal cancer and finding it early. The Logan County Department of Public Health (LCDPH) encourages everyone to follow the recommendations to screen early and regularly by taking advantage of local resources that can help you prevent colon cancer.

A colonoscopy is the best option available to detect colon cancer at an early stage; however, a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) remains a sensible alternative for those who are resistant to having a colonoscopy. A FIT test checks for hidden blood in the stool which can be an early sign of colon cancer. This screening test is a quick and easy stool sample kit which is very sensitive to detecting any blood found in the stool. Hidden blood in the stool is associated with gastrointestinal diseases including colon cancer. Any type of rectal bleeding is abnormal and should be evaluated by your physician.

Lincoln Memorial Hospital (LMH) will be offering free FIT screening test kits. The kits will be available starting Thursday, March 2nd, by calling 217-605-5008 and requesting that a kit be mailed to you. Supplies are limited and kits are available on a first come, first served basis. The tests must be mailed back within 10 days of receiving them.

LCDPH urges everyone to take advantage of this service. For more information, please contact Kara Davis with the Logan County Department of Public Health at 217-735-2317. The department hours of operation are Monday-Friday 7:30-4:30. For more information regarding LCDPH services, you can log onto their website at WWW.LCDPH.ORG.

[Don Cavi, MS, LEHP
Public Health Administrator
Logan County Department of Public Health]