Emily Young

                                                                                                Public Health Educator

                                                                                                435-3280

The Onondaga County Cancer Services Program Partnership would like to remind uninsured men over the age of 50 that free at-home colorectal cancer screening kits are available by calling 435-3653. Colorectal cancer occurs most often in individuals ages 50 and older, therefore everyone aged 50 and older should be screened for colorectal cancer.  According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)  routine screenings are an important step in lowering a man’s risk of developing colorectal cancer in his lifetime.

Early detection has proven to save lives. As many as 60% of the deaths from colorectal cancer would be prevented if everyone age 50 and older was routinely screened. The CDC also reports that  routine screening for colorectal cancer is important because the lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is about 1 in 20. According to the American Cancer Society, in 2007, there were 72,755 men diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the U.S.  Furthermore, CDC also reports that  factors such as

increase a man’s chances of developing colorectal cancer.  Men who have a personal or family history of colorectal polyps may need to begin screening for colorectal cancer before the age of 50.

Studies show that the uninsured are less likely to seek preventative medical care than the insured. The Onondaga County Cancer Services Program Partnership would like to encourage uninsured men of

Onondaga County to put their health first and call 435-3653 to see if they qualify for a free at-home colorectal

cancer screening kit. Call today!