Many Onondaga County residents over 50 might find one reason or another not to get tested for colon cancer. But officials at the Onondaga County Health Department said they have every reason to get checked.
Tanya Reese is the Program Coordinator of the Cancer Services Program. She said most adults are not screened because they are scared of the prep for the colonoscopy or don’t have any way to pay.
“Individuals that don’t have insurance think of the cost. That’s why our program is great to assist those individuals that may be uninsured to be able to get the screenings they need,” Reese said.
Colon cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women and third in men, and it does not always cause symptoms at first. The new F.I.T. Kit is a testing kit that can be used in the home, and looks for blood in a person’s stool. Patients can opt for either the kit or the colonoscopy when they are screened. Reese said she has seen an increase in the number of people getting tested since it is not as taboo of a topic.
“The doctors are really talking to their patients. With the help of the patient navigators it’s more on the medical radar to check in with our patients and provide the education that is needed to insure that the patients are actually receiving the services and screenings that they need,” Reese said.
The health department is offering free breast, cervical, and colon screenings for Onondaga County residents between the ages of 50 and 64 who do not have health insurance. Call 315-435-3653 or visit ongov.net to register for a free test. March is colon cancer awareness month.