In recognition of National Colorectal Cancer Month and the need for early detection and diagnosis of this treatable disease, the Cancer Centers of Northern Arizona Healthcare are offering low-cost, take-home colorectal cancer screening kits. On weekdays in March, from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., individuals can stop by Cancer Center locations to receive the screening kits and information. In the Verde Valley area, kits are available at the Sedona Campus, 3700 W. Highway 89A.

According to recent statistics, colorectal cancer is the third leading type of cancer for both men and women, and represents the third highest cause of death among all cancers. Yavapai County has the sixth-highest incidence of colorectal cancer of the 15 counties in Arizona.

Jeff Axtell, director of Oncology Services at the Cancer Centers of NAH said, “The most interesting detail related to this fact is, almost 80 percent of colorectal cancers could be prevented altogether, or if diagnosed early enough, long-term survival rates would double from what they are today.”

This screening is recommended for men and women over 50, those who have a family history of the disease or who may have colorectal polyps, and individuals who have chronic inflammatory bowel disease. This take-home kit includes simple instructions for a screening that checks for blood in the stool. The low cost to process the kits and obtain lab results is $10, payable when the kit is obtained.

The Cancer Centers of NAH has two locations. The Sedona Campus is at 3700 W. Highway 89A and the Flagstaff Campus is located at 1200 N. Beaver St. For more information about the screening or other cancer-related questions, please call
800 854-7744 or visit the Web site at CCNAH.com.