OSWEGO – With March being Colorectal Cancer awareness month, Oswego County Opportunities (OCO) Cancer Services Program of the North Country is reminding community members of the importance of regular screenings for colorectal cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS) colorectal cancer is among the most common cancers in both men and women and is a leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. It is also one of the most preventable.
OCO’s Cancer Services program and its healthcare partner Oswego Health is working to save lives through prevention awareness.
“Early detection through screenings is the key to minimizing the chances of getting colorectal cancer,” said OCO Cancer Services Program Manager Carolyn Handville. “Screenings can detect cancer early when it may be easier to treat. It can find and remove growths or polyps before they become cancerous. With the rise in colorectal cancer in younger adults the American Cancer Society suggests those 45 and older, or those younger that have a history of colorectal cancer in their family begin regular screenings.”
Free colorectal at home test kits and screenings are available free of charge through OCO’s Cancer Services of the North Country program for eligible individuals.
“Regular screenings for colorectal cancer can save lives, said Handville. “Whether it is an initial screening or a follow up to an abnormal at home test kit, OCO Cancer Services, working with its partner the Center for Gastroenterology & Metabolic Diseases at Oswego, located at Seneca Hill Health Services Center, can provide colorectal cancer screenings at no charge for individuals that are uninsured or underinsured.”
The Center for Gastroenterology & Metabolic Diseases is one of over 80 healthcare professionals that OCO’s Cancer Services Program partners work with to provide services and treatment related to breast cancer, cervical cancer, and colon cancer.
“For the past 10 years the Center for Gastroenterology & Metabolic Diseases has been a valuable partner in our fight against cancer,” added Handville.
Administered by OCO, the Cancer Services Program of the North Country provides free cancer screenings including clinical breast exams, mammograms, pap/pelvic exams, and colorectal cancer screenings to community members who are both uninsured and between 40 and 64 years of age.
If you do not have health insurance or a health care provider, call the Cancer Services Program of the North Country. Administered by OCO, the Cancer Services Program of the North Country provides free cancer screenings including clinical breast exams, mammograms, pap/pelvic exams, and colorectal cancer screenings to community members who are both uninsured and between 40 and 64 years of age.
For more information on the Cancer Services Program contact 315-592-0830, visit www.oco.org, or follow the program on https://www.facebook.com/oco.free.cancer.screenings.
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