March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month

March 17, 2014 Leave a comment


March is colon cancer awareness month and is a good time to think about getting tested for colon cancer. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States and nearly 150,000 men and women are diagnosed with it every year. Testing is important because colon cancer is easily treatable and preventable, and the five-year survival rate is 85-90% if found early enough and treated.

If you are over 50, it is recommended that you get tested regularly to try and catch colon cancer before it starts. Testing should be done every year, with colonoscopies done every ten years. It is not too late if you are over 50 and haven’t been tested before. Finding colon cancer in its early stages could save your life.

Free colon cancer testing kits are available in Burt, Cuming, Madison, and Stanton counties. Locations in Burt County with kits available are Wragge Pharmacy, Tekamah Mercy Medical Clinic, Lyons Public Library, and Oakland Public Library. Call Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department at 402-529-2233 for more information about colon cancer testing

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Colon Cancer Screening Kits Available

February 20, 2014 Leave a comment


For Immediate Release

February 11, 2014

Contact: Matt Punelli – matt@elvphd.org

Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department

 

Free Colon Cancer Screening Kits Available

Colon cancer is preventable and treatable if discovered early, so now is the time to think about getting screened. Over 90% of colorectal cancer cases are found in adults aged 50 and over, which is why yearly screenings are important if you are over 50. Treatment is most effective when colon cancer is detected early, and screening can even prevent colon cancer by finding and removing polyps before they become cancer. The Elkhorn Logan Valley Colon Cancer Prevention Coalition has free Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) kits available at area locations.

 

Kit locations in Cuming County:

  • Shopko Pharmacy in West Point
  • Tom’s Rexall in West Point
  • Dinklage Medical Clinic in West Point
  • Cuming County Extension Office
  • Wisner Pharmacy
  • Wisner Family Practice
  • Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department

 

Kit locations in Burt County:

  • Tekamah Mercy Medical Clinic
  • Wragge Pharmacy in Tekamah
  • Lyons Public Library
  • Oakland Public Library

 

For more information about the free FOBT kits please contact the Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department at (402) 529-2233.

 

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