Put Yourself First, Prevent Colorectal Cancer

You’re busy. We understand. But making time for a colorectal cancer screening is a lot easier than making time for cancer treatment. Getting screened for colorectal cancer regularly can prevent it, giving you more time for doing the things you love.

Screening tests can prevent colorectal cancer by finding the growths that become cancer and removing them before they have a chance to turn into cancer. Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early when treatment may work best. When found early, people have an excellent chance of surviving this disease.

Most people should start screening at age 45. Others may need to be screened younger than age 45 depending on family history or other risk factors or symptoms. The best thing to do is talk to a health care provider about getting screened for colorectal cancer. Then, you and your doctor can decide when to start screening and choose the screening test that’s right for you.

For people without insurance or a health care provider, OCO’s Cancer Services Program of North Country (CSP) offers free colorectal cancer screening to eligible New Yorkers. The CSP also provides follow-up testing and helps clients enroll in the Medicaid Cancer Treatment Program if cancer is found.

Take the time to take care of yourself. Talk to your health care provider about colorectal cancer screening or call OCO’s Cancer Services Program of North Country at 855-592-0830 for free screening or more information.

Carolyn Handville

OCO Coordinator

CSP of North Country

*Supported with funds from the State of New York

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