March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, highlighting the significance of early detection. Colorectal cancer ranks as the second leading cancer killer in the U.S., but regular screenings can save lives. First Choice Healthcare Clinics offers free home FIT tests for individuals aged 45-75 in Kewanee, Colona, and Toulon. These tests can detect polyps before they become cancerous, significantly reducing mortality rates. Colorectal cancer may exhibit no symptoms, underscoring the necessity of screening. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the First Choice Healthcare location nearest you: Kewanee 309-852-5272; Colona 309-792-4011; or Toulon 309-852-3115, or find us on Facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments or First Choice Healthcare, or follow them on Twitter and Instagram.
If you’re 50 or older, getting a screening test for colorectal cancer could save your life. Here’s how:
- Colorectal cancer usually starts from polyps in the colon or rectum. A polyp is a growth that shouldn’t be there.
- Over time, some polyps can turn into cancer.
- Screening tests can find polyps, so they can be removed before they turn into cancer.
- Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early. When it is found early, the chance of being cured is good.
People who have polyps or colorectal cancer sometimes don’t have symptoms, especially at first. This means that someone could have polyps or colorectal cancer and not know it. That is why having a screening test is so important.
Some people with colorectal polyps or cancer do have symptoms. They may include:
- Blood in or on your stool (bowel movement).
- Pain, aches, or cramps in your stomach happen often, and you don’t know why.
- A change in bowel habits, such as having stools that are narrower than usual.
- Losing weight, and you don’t know why.