Colorectal cancer is cancer that starts in the colon or the rectum and is the second leading cause of death in the US, among men and women combined.
There is good news, though. There’s an easy test to find out if you show signs of having or developing colon cancer. The test can discover any issues early and put you in the best position for successful treatment. Because of the treatments available, there are currently more than one million colorectal cancer survivors in the US.
This test is, literally, a poop test. Doctors screen your stool to see if there are traces of blood, which is often a sign of more serious issues. It’s called a FIT Kit, and doctors recommend you have it done every year if you have not had a colonoscopy in the last 10 years and are between 50 and 75 years of age.
1. It’s a simple process that you do at home.
2. Just take a small sample of stool and place it on the card provided in the kit.
3. You return the sample to Ryan Health, and we’ll take it from there.
Your family history and ethnicity can put you at a higher risk for colorectal cancer. Incidence and mortality rates of colorectal cancer are highest among African Americans.
Many health plans reward their members for completing the FIT test. Check with your insurance company to see if you qualify for an award.
What To Do
Some of you will receive a FIT Kit in the mail. Complete the test and bring it with you to your next appointment at Ryan Health.
If you haven’t received one, ask your Ryan Health primary care provider if you should complete a FIT Kit. Once you use it at home, you can return your sample to Ryan Health.
