| Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer among men and women in the United States. Regular screening exams may help detect the cancer in its earlier, more treatable stages. That’s why Tenet Hospitals of Atlanta is offering free EZ Detect test kits that look for hidden blood in the stool. These kits are designed to be used in the privacy of your home. You don’t need to handle the stool sample, and the only thing you mail back to us is your results card. Colorectal cancer affects both men and women. Most cases (93%) occur in people who are age 50 or older. The risk of developing the cancer increases as you age. You should begin colorectal cancer screening soon after 50 and continue at regular intervals. You may need to be tested earlier or at more frequent intervals if you or a close relative have had colorectal polpys or cancer. Also, if you have inflammatory bowel disease, your doctor may want to you begin testing earlier than age 50. Several screening tests are available for colorectal cancer. You should talk to your doctor about what’s best for you. The EZ Detect kits are a type of fecal occult (hidden) blood test. You should understand that while rectal bleeding is a symptom of colorectal cancer, not all colorectal cancers cause bleeding. Some physicians feel that the “gold standard” for colorectal cancer screening is a colonoscopy. This procedure allows physicians to see inside the colon and rectum. Polyps can be removed during the procedure. The recommendation is that an average-risk person have a colonoscopy every 10 years, starting at age 50. If you would like to receive a free EZ Detect kit by mail, please call 1-888-TENET-4U (1-888-836-3848). |