22
Feb
2013
DAVENPORT, Iowa - Feb. 19, 2013 - Anyone 50 years old or older, or
those with other factors associated with an increased risk of colon cancer, are
encouraged to pick up and return a free colon cancer testing kit in the Quad
Cities during National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March.
The kits are provided free of charge as long as supplies last. This annual
screening is sponsored by Genesis Health System, Walgreens Drug Stores,
Illini Laboratory and the American Cancer Society. Completed kits should be
mailed to the Illini Laboratory. Participants will have results mailed to them
within four weeks.
The kits are designed to detect small amounts of hidden blood, which can
indicate early problems with polyps or cancer before other symptoms are
apparent. Anyone with a positive test should contact their family physician
and ask about a colonoscopy. Also, anyone 50 years old or older should ask
their doctor about having a first colonoscopy.
Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer
diagnosed in both men and women in the United States. The American
Cancer Society's estimate for the number of new colon cancer cases in the
United States for 2013 is 102,480.
The death rate (the number of deaths per 100,000 people per year) from
colorectal cancer has been dropping in both men and women for more than
20 years. There are a number of likely reasons for this. One is that polyps
are being found by screening and removed before they can develop into
cancers.
Screening is also allowing more colorectal cancers to be found earlier when
the disease is easier to treat and cure.
Both men and women are at risk for colon cancer and more lives could be
saved if people better understood the risks of the disease and received
regular testing.
Screening and colonoscopy are the most effective ways to prevent colon
cancer from developing. Most cases of the disease begin as non-cancerous
polyps, which are growths on the lining of the colon and rectum. These
polyps can become cancerous.
Removing polyps during a colonoscopy can prevent colorectal cancer from
developing. Approximately 90 percent of colorectal cancers and deaths are
thought to be preventable.
Because there are often no symptoms to polyps, it is important to be
routinely screened.
For more information on colon cancer, including risk factors, prevention
options, and early detection methods, please call the American Cancer
Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
Free kits can be picked up at the following locations in March, or until
supplies last:
Walgreens Drug Stores
Bettendorf: 830 Middle Road, 3425 Middle Road; Clinton: 806 S. 4th St.,
1905 N. 2nd St.; Davenport: 1805 Brady St., 1720 West Kimberly; 1525
East Kimberly, 1660 West Locust St., 4011 East 53 rd St.; East Moline: 301
30th Ave.; 1301 Ave. of the Cities; Moline: 3601 16th St., 555 19th Ave.;
4000 Ave. of the Cities; Milan: 440 10th Ave. West; Muscatine:1703 Park
Ave; Rock Island: 3100 11th St.; 2955 18th Ave.
Other Pick-Up Locations
Genesis Cancer Care Institute, 1351 West Central Park, Davenport; Genesis
Medical Center, Illini Campus, 801 Illini Drive, Silvis; Illini Laboratory,
801 Illini Drive, Silvis; Genesis Medical Center, DeWitt, 1118 11th Street,
DeWitt; Genesis Medical Center, Davenport, West Campus Information
Desks; Genesis Medical Center, Davenport, East Campus Information Desks;
Jackson County Regional Health Center, Maquoketa; Mercer County Hospital,
Aledo, Ill; American Cancer Society Discovery Shop, 2397 Cumberland
Square, Bettendorf.
Risk Factors
Both men and women are at risk for colon cancer. Personal risk varies,
so your doctor can help you make informed decisions about when to begin
testing and the most appropriate testing method for you. Factors associated
with increased risk for colon cancer include :
those with other factors associated with an increased risk of colon cancer, are
encouraged to pick up and return a free colon cancer testing kit in the Quad
Cities during National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March.
The kits are provided free of charge as long as supplies last. This annual
screening is sponsored by Genesis Health System, Walgreens Drug Stores,
Illini Laboratory and the American Cancer Society. Completed kits should be
mailed to the Illini Laboratory. Participants will have results mailed to them
within four weeks.
The kits are designed to detect small amounts of hidden blood, which can
indicate early problems with polyps or cancer before other symptoms are
apparent. Anyone with a positive test should contact their family physician
and ask about a colonoscopy. Also, anyone 50 years old or older should ask
their doctor about having a first colonoscopy.
Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer
diagnosed in both men and women in the United States. The American
Cancer Society's estimate for the number of new colon cancer cases in the
United States for 2013 is 102,480.
The death rate (the number of deaths per 100,000 people per year) from
colorectal cancer has been dropping in both men and women for more than
20 years. There are a number of likely reasons for this. One is that polyps
are being found by screening and removed before they can develop into
cancers.
Screening is also allowing more colorectal cancers to be found earlier when
the disease is easier to treat and cure.
Both men and women are at risk for colon cancer and more lives could be
saved if people better understood the risks of the disease and received
regular testing.
Screening and colonoscopy are the most effective ways to prevent colon
cancer from developing. Most cases of the disease begin as non-cancerous
polyps, which are growths on the lining of the colon and rectum. These
polyps can become cancerous.
Removing polyps during a colonoscopy can prevent colorectal cancer from
developing. Approximately 90 percent of colorectal cancers and deaths are
thought to be preventable.
Because there are often no symptoms to polyps, it is important to be
routinely screened.
For more information on colon cancer, including risk factors, prevention
options, and early detection methods, please call the American Cancer
Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
Free kits can be picked up at the following locations in March, or until
supplies last:
Walgreens Drug Stores
Bettendorf: 830 Middle Road, 3425 Middle Road; Clinton: 806 S. 4th St.,
1905 N. 2nd St.; Davenport: 1805 Brady St., 1720 West Kimberly; 1525
East Kimberly, 1660 West Locust St., 4011 East 53 rd St.; East Moline: 301
30th Ave.; 1301 Ave. of the Cities; Moline: 3601 16th St., 555 19th Ave.;
4000 Ave. of the Cities; Milan: 440 10th Ave. West; Muscatine:1703 Park
Ave; Rock Island: 3100 11th St.; 2955 18th Ave.
Other Pick-Up Locations
Genesis Cancer Care Institute, 1351 West Central Park, Davenport; Genesis
Medical Center, Illini Campus, 801 Illini Drive, Silvis; Illini Laboratory,
801 Illini Drive, Silvis; Genesis Medical Center, DeWitt, 1118 11th Street,
DeWitt; Genesis Medical Center, Davenport, West Campus Information
Desks; Genesis Medical Center, Davenport, East Campus Information Desks;
Jackson County Regional Health Center, Maquoketa; Mercer County Hospital,
Aledo, Ill; American Cancer Society Discovery Shop, 2397 Cumberland
Square, Bettendorf.
Risk Factors
Both men and women are at risk for colon cancer. Personal risk varies,
so your doctor can help you make informed decisions about when to begin
testing and the most appropriate testing method for you. Factors associated
with increased risk for colon cancer include :
- Age - most diagnosed are 50 or older.
- Race - African Americans are at greater risk.
- Personal or family history of colon cancer.
- Personal or family history of intestinal polyps.
- Personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative or Crohn's colitis).
- Certain genetic factors (familial adenomatous polyposis, Gardner's syndrome, hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, Ashkenazi Jewish descent).
- Smoking, or use of other tobacco products.
- Physical inactivity.
- Diets high in red meat.
