Community Calendar

Colorectal cancer screening kits offered by HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in March

Free FIT take-home tests available at hospital main lobby desk 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays

Did you know that colorectal cancer is the nation’s second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths when the cases for men and women are combined?  If caught early, colorectal cancer can be successfully treated, so it is important not to delay preventive screenings when eligible.

In honor of Colon Cancer Awareness Month, HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital is making free colorectal cancer screening kits available at the hospital main lobby desk, off Maple Street, during the month of March.

Through March 31, members of the community can stop by the hospital lobby desk between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, to pick up a Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT, also known as iFOBT) take-home kit at no cost, while supplies last.  Process instructions will be given at pickup.

A FIT is recommended to be completed yearly.  The FIT kit is offered free to community members and returned kits will be processed through each person’s insurance at no charge.

Colorectal cancer screenings have been proven to save lives.  The American Cancer Society (ACS) colorectal screening guidelines for adults now recommend screening to begin at age 45 for people at average risk.  ACS data shows that new cases of colorectal cancer are occurring at an increasing rate among younger adults.  Colorectal cancer in its early stages usually has no symptoms.  Medical experts recommend that people 45 years and older should get tested.

For more information regarding this colorectal cancer screening kit event, contact Tammy Probst, cancer care administrative director, at 217-347-3563.  For more information about HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, visit stanthonyshospital.org.