There’s Still Time to get Free Colorectal Cancer Screening Kits at MHP
Mahaska Health Partnership
MAHASKA COUNTY – March is recognized as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and Mahaska Health Partnership is offering free colorectal cancer screening kits for the rest of the month.
“Starting at age 50, a colorectal cancer screening should be done annually,” said MHP General Surgeon Tim Breon, MD, FACS. “These kits are a great preventive measure to take and can be done conveniently in your own home.”
The free fecal occult screening kits being offered by MHP can be requested online at mahaskahealth.org, over the phone by calling 641.672.3342 or picked up at one of the following locations: MHP Entrance #1, MHP Entrance #4, New Sharon Medical Center or MHP Hospice Services-Sigourney location. Completed kits must be mailed back to the MHP Laboratory no later than April 15.
“Requesting a free colorectal cancer screening kit is the first step to take for prevention or detection of cancer,” said Dr. Breon. “If a test is positive, a colonoscopy can be performed to look for polyps and remove them before cancer starts.”
Dr. Breon also recommends a complete colonoscopy starting at age 50, and every ten years thereafter if negative. Colonoscopies may be performed more frequently if there are known risk factors for colorectal cancer, such as polyps, bleeding or a family history of colon cancer. For more information about colonoscopies, contact your primary care provider or call MHP General Surgery at 641.672.2455.
Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, visit www.mahaskahealth.org.
