The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 60 percent of colon cancer deaths could be prevented altogether with regular screenings and removal of pre-cancer polyps. If cancer is already present but detected early, the 5-year survival rate for colon cancer is more than 90 percent.
The Kentucky Colon Cancer Screening Program (KCCSP) led by the Kentucky Department for Public Health and developed as a public/private partnership with the Kentucky Cancer Foundation will again be funding colon cancer screening during 2015-16 for eligible uninsured, low income, legal residents of Kentucky in 14 health departments covering 47 counties throughout Kentucky. Locations participating in this program include The Purchase District Health Department (including Ballard, Carlisle, Fulton, Hickman, and McCracken Counties)
KCCSP navigators will also work with patients who inquire about colon cancer screening to link them to kynect, the Kentucky-run health benefit exchange, so that they can receive more information about their eligibility for private insurance or Medicaid. Preventive screenings are now covered through the Affordable Care Act with no out of pocket charges for those who are insured. Many health departments also offer all individuals who meet screening guidelines a free take-home FIT (Fecal Immunochemical Test) kit; a test to check for tiny amounts of blood which could detect a cancer or pre-cancer.
The Kentucky Cancer Program (KCP), part of the cancer control programs at the University of Kentucky/Markey Cancer Center and the University of Louisville/James Graham Brown Cancer Center, will be working with health departments to assist in educating the public about the importance of screening and the availability of the health departments’ colon cancer screening resources.
New this year is a statewide campaign by KCP called “Get the FIT Facts” which will provide information about the FIT option and colon cancer screening resources to health care providers throughout Kentucky.
Men and women who are age 50+ (age 45+ for African Americans) or at high risk for colon cancer should be screened.
Thus far, more than 1,500 Kentuckians have been screened through the KCCSP, with 14 cancers detected. Polyps have been detected in 179 patients and removed before they turned into cancer.
KCCSP trained patient navigators guide patients through the process of being screened for colon cancer, either with a FIT take-home kit, or a colonoscopy if a patient is at high risk or their FIT is positive.
The KCCSP has not only increased screening, but it’s affected the lives of many Kentuckians. Visit http://coloncancerpreventionproject.org/category/stories/ to learn more about the stories of Kentuckians impacted through this life-saving program.
For more information about where to find a Kentucky Colon Cancer Screening Program location, call (1-800-633-8100) or call the regional office of the Kentucky Cancer Program at 270-442-1310.
