This week Dr. Greg has details on a now postponed Colon Cancer Prevention Fair at the Lyric Theatre where people can learn about the disease, the number two cancer killer, and receive a free take-home colon cancer screening kit.  The Fayette County Health Department says the event will be rescheduled for later this month.  March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

The fair takes place Thursday March 5th from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Lyric Theatre in Lexington.   For additional information call 859-288-2446.

From Kentucky Cancer Link:

Colon Cancer

Kentucky CancerLink has 2 programs offering colon cancer screenings in the form of “take home kits.”  We provide the kits, the education and postage paid envelopes.  You can do the test in the privacy of your own home and then mail in the results.  It’s easy and an excellent pre-screening tool for colon cancer.  If the test is negative, you are good for another year.  If the test is positive it DOES NOT mean that you have cancer, but there may be an issue detected that could require a colonoscopy.  Kentucky CancerLink can help navigate you through that process.

Colon Cancer Screening Options

InSure FIT Kit Program 

Guidelines:

• Ages 50 and over (White and Hispanic), 45 and over (African American)
• No colonoscopy within the past year
• No social security number required
• Insured and Uninsured accepted
• If there is a strong family history, please call 859.309.1700 or toll free 877.597.4655 and we will help determine the need for earlier screening

Click here for more information about the InSure FIT Kit.

FIT (Fecal Immunochemical Test) Program  (Kentucky Colon Cancer Screening Program)

Guidelines:

• Ages 50-64 (White and Hispanic), 45-64 (African American)
• Citizen or Qualified Alien
• Legal resident of Kentucky
• Uninsured
• Income at or below 250% federal poverty guidelines (click here to see requirements)
• Under age 50 (or 45 African American) may qualify if certain high risk conditions exist:

1. Previous removal of precancerous pollyps
2. Family history of colon cancer or precancerous pollyps in one first degree relative or 2 or more second degree relatives younger than 60
3. History of ulcerative colitis or Chron’s Disease
4. Increase in bright red blood from the rectum or bloody stools in the past 6 months
5. recent new diarrhea or constipation lasting longer than 2 weeks within the last 30 days
6. Unexplained weight loss of more than 10% of your body weight

Colonoscopy

For information about our ability to assist with scheduling or cost of a colonoscopy, please fill out a Request for Assistance Form or call the office 859.309.1700 or toll free 877.597.4655.  Eligibility required.