Kirkland Cancer Center Offers Free Colorectal Screening

(March 5, 2013….Jackson, Tennessee….)

Colorectal cancer is the third cause of cancer death in the U.S. and more than 150,000 people are diagnosed each year.  Regular colorectal cancer screening or testing is one of the most powerful weapons for preventing colorectal cancer. 

The Kirkland Cancer Center at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, along with the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation, are offering a free colorectal cancer screening at participating pharmacies in the area. Free hemoccult kits will be available for pick up at the Jackson-Madison County General Hospital pharmacy as well as many other pharmacies in surrounding towns through March 15.

Most people should begin screening for colorectal cancer at the age of 50, unless you have a family history or other risk factors that may warrant a screening at an earlier age.

The hemoccult kits with stool samples must be mailed back to the Medical Center Lab by March 31. Results will be mailed back to the sender.

For more information about this free colorectal screening that could save your life, contact the Kirkland Cancer Center at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital at 731-541-5087 or go to www.kirklandcancercenter.org.

For more information about the warning signs of colorectal cancer or prevention you may visit the American Cancer Society web page at www.cancer.org or visit Colon Cancer Alliance at www.ccalliance.org.