FREE COLORECTAL CANCER TEST KITS AVAILABLE AT MDH

McDonough District Hospital would like to encourage the community to stop in and pick up a free fecal occult blood test kit in Outreach Services, located on the third floor, west wing, of the hospital.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women in this country. The American Cancer Society estimates that there were approximately 106,100 new cases of colon cancer and 40,870 new cases of rectal cancer in 2009 in the United States. Combined, they will cause about 50,000 deaths. Fortunately, the death rate from colorectal cancer has been going down for the past 15 years thanks to early detection and improved treatment. If you are 50 or older, or are at higher risk because of your personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colon polyps, you should consider colorectal cancer screening.

Fecal occult blood test kits are the first step in detecting colorectal cancer.  Free test kits are available at MDH Outreach Services through the month of March. Simply stop by MDH Outreach Services to pick one up. Office hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM. Before or after hours, test kits can be obtained and returned to the MDH Admitting/Registration department (first floor, front entrance).

The fecal occult blood test kit checks for blood in your bowel movement (stool) and is completed in the privacy of your home. Participants will receive detailed instructions and educational information with the test kit. The completed test kit is then returned to MDH Outreach Services and a free analysis will be conducted if the kit is returned by Friday, April 30. Each participant and their physician will be notified of the results. For more information, contact MDH Outreach Services at (309) 836-1584.