During March, southern Illinois residents can get a free at-home colon cancer screening test.
Franklin Hospital will be giving out tests on Friday March 12 from 9 am to noon. This will be done as a drive through, with no registration required. The screening test is done at home and returned to the hospital via a drop box.
The American Cancer Society recommends colon cancer screenings for all Americans beginning at age 50.
Doctor Mary Connell, with Franklin Hospital, says those with early stages of colon cancer may not have any symptoms, which is why screening is so critical.
“Despite being one of only a few cancers that can be prevented through screening, many men and women are not getting the recommended colon cancer screening,” she said. “Sometimes it can be asymptomatic initially and you can have no family history of the disease and still manage to get colon cancer.”
Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the US.