Hendrick Cancer Center offers free colon cancer screenings and education, March 16

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men and women in the United States, yet it’s one of the most preventable. To promote early detection during National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Hendrick Cancer Center is offering free colon cancer screening kits and education to the community, March 16. Interested individuals can visit Hendrick Cancer Center’s Learning Center, located at 2000 Pine St., from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., for an assessment, FIT Test and education. This is a come-and-go event.

Early detection is vital in preventing colorectal cancer deaths. Unfortunately, colorectal cancer does not usually present symptoms in the early stage of the disease. Colorectal cancer, or cancer of the colon and rectum, often begins as benign polyps that grow on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. These growths spread very slowly, taking from 10 to 20 years to become cancerous. Regular colonoscopies and screening tests can identify and remove polyps before they become cancerous.

In general, signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer can include the following:

• Changes in bowel habits
• Blood in the stool
• Problems related to blood loss (anemia, weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath, pounding or racing heart, chest pain and intolerance to exercise)
• Abdominal discomfort (frequent gas, bloating, fullness, cramps and pain)
• Unexplained weight loss
• Pain with bowel movement
• Feeling that your bowel doesn't empty completely
• Fatigue

To participate in the screening, individuals must be 50-75 years of age or at a high risk for developing colorectal cancer, and have not had a colonoscopy within the last 10 years.

No appointment necessary. This is a free assessment only. No physical examinations or colonoscopies will be performed.

For more information, contact Linda Neill at 670-4488 or lneill@hendrickhealth.org.

NOTE: This is a free assessment only. No physical examinations or colonoscopies will be performed.