March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and Cancer Support Community at Gilda’s Club (CSC) is urging individuals age 45 and older to prioritize colorectal cancer screening. Early detection significantly increases the likelihood of successful treatment and can save lives.
Cancer Support Community at Gilda’s Club leads monthly comprehensive outreach, advocacy, and education efforts across the community to promote timely cancer screenings. Special emphasis is being placed on communities of color, where disparities in access to preventive health services persist. To help address these gaps and create awareness about the importance of early detection and screening, the organization is offering free Colonox™ FIT Rapid Screening Test Kits to eligible individuals.
According to the National Cancer Institute, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among men and women in the United States, accounting for approximately 9% of all cancer deaths. Research shows that as many as 60% of colorectal cancer deaths could be prevented through routine screening.
“We launched our free colorectal cancer rapid screening kit initiative several years ago, and the response from our community has been truly inspiring. To date, we have distributed more than 2,800 kits—each one representing an opportunity for early detection and potentially lifesaving intervention,” said James Love, Chief Executive Director of Cancer Support Community at Gilda’s Club. “By promoting colorectal cancer screening and providing access to free screening kits, we are turning awareness into action. Early detection saves lives, and through education, outreach, and equitable access to care, we are empowering our community to take charge of their health and reduce the impact of this preventable, treatable disease.”
The Colonox™ FIT Screening Test Kit aids in the detection of colorectal cancer and conditions such as diverticulitis, colitis, and colon polyps. The noninvasive test is simple to use, can be completed privately at home, and provides results in approximately 10 minutes without the need to send samples to a laboratory.
To qualify for a free rapid screening kit, individuals must:
- Be between the ages of 45 and 80
- Provide contact information for a follow-up call to address any questions
- Not have had a recent colonoscopy
Love emphasized that while the rapid screening kits are an important tool for early detection, they are not a substitute for medical advice or a colonoscopy. “These test kits are not intended to replace conversations with your physician or a recommended colonoscopy,” he said. “However, they can serve as a critical first step toward early detection and help connect individuals to additional support—especially those without a primary care physician or health insurance.”
For more information about the Colorectal Cancer screening test kits offered by Cancer Support Community at Gilda’s Club or to receive one, call 585-423-9700.
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