Center offers free colon cancer screenings

By ERIC LINDBERG — March 9, 2010

In hopes of identifying and catching a preventable disease early when it is most treatable, the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara is offering free colon cancer screenings and informational events throughout March.

The disease is the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the county and the second-leading cause in the United States, but more than 60 percent of citizen older than 50 have never received a screening. Organizers hope to bring more attention to the highly preventable disease during several community events as part of National Colon Cancer Awareness Month.

During the events, healthcare providers will hand out information about colon cancer and offer free take-home test kits to those older than 50. The tests can be completed at home and returned in a provided envelope to the cancer center.

Analysis will be completed within two weeks, and cancer center staff will inform participants of their test results.

The community events take place on March 14 from 8 to 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, 1532 Linden Ave.; on March 21 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Raphael Church, 5444 Hollister Ave.; and on March 27 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Eastside Neighborhood Clinic, 915 N. Milpas St.

More information about screenings or the center’s Colon Cancer Early Detection and Prevention Program is available by calling 898-2204 or visiting www.ccsb.org.

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