February 19, 2010, Morris, IL – Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers is offering free, take-home colorectal cancer screening kits in recognition of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
The screening kits may be picked up beginning March 1 through March 19 at one of Morris Hospital’s nine off-site locations, including:
Braidwood Healthcare Center, 389 E. Main St., Braidwood
Channahon Healthcare Center, 25259 Reed St., Channahon
Diagnostic & Rehabilitative Center, 100 Gore Rd., Morris
Dwight Healthcare Center, 101 S. Prairie, Dwight
Gardner Healthcare Center, 409 N. Route 53, Gardner
Marseilles Healthcare Center, 580 Sycamore, Marseilles
Morris Hospital Ridge Road Campus, 25259 W. Saxony Dr., Channahon
Newark Healthcare Center, 5 N. Johnson St., Newark
Radiation Therapy Center, 1600 W. U.S. Route 6, Morris
The screening involves a fecal occult blood test that checks for small amounts of hidden blood in the stool, which could be an indication of colorectal cancer. Each screening kit contains instructions for collecting stool samples in the privacy of your own home and returning the samples to the laboratory at Morris Hospital in the provided mailing pouch. Samples must be returned by March 31.
Not counting skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, the death rate from colorectal cancer has been going down for the past 15 years as a result of colorectal cancer screenings.
Most people with early colon cancer don’t have symptoms, which is why early detection screening tests are important. Symptoms usually appear with more advanced disease. Signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer include: a change in bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool that lasts for more than a few days; a feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that doesn't go away after doing so; rectal bleeding, dark stools, or blood in the stool (often, though, the stool will look normal); cramping or stomach pain; or weakness and tiredness.
For more information on the colorectal screening kits available through Morris Hospital, call 815-942-2932, ext. 7364.
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