CentraCare Offering Free Colon Cancer Test Kits

(KNSI) – CentraCare is offering free take-home colon cancer screening kits for people aged 45 years and older from March 1st to April 15th.

Officials say the tests should not be considered a replacement for a colonoscopy, which is also recommended at age 45. Colon and rectal cancer is one of the worst kinds when looking at the fatality rate.

CentraCare says, despite that, if caught early it is one of the most treatable. It is hard to predict who will get the disease, though. About 70 percent of people with colorectal cancer have no family history.

Kits are limited, so you are encouraged to pick yours up early in the available window from March 1st to April 15th. The initiative ties into Colon Cancer Awareness Month.

Pick-up sites include:

· Baxter Clinic Registration Desk

· Benson Hospital Registration Desk

· Coborn Healing Center at CentraCare Plaza, St. Cloud

· Eden Valley Clinic Laboratory

· Long Prairie Clinic Registration Desk

· Melrose Clinic Registration Desk

· Monticello Specialty Clinic (2nd Floor)

· Paynesville Laboratory

· Redwood Registration Desk

· Richmond Clinic Laboratory

· Sauk Centre Hospital Registration Desk