Mobile Health Unit to Distribute Take-Home Colon Cancer Awareness Kits

colorectal-la-porte-hospitalThe Mobile Health Unit of La Porte Hospital will be out in the community throughout March to educate on colorectal cancer prevention during National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Take-home test kits will be available.

Colorectal cancer affects men and women of all racial and ethnic groups, and is most often found in people ages 50 or older. In the U.S., it is the third most common cancer for both men and women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The best way to prevent colorectal cancer is through regular colonoscopy screening, which is typically due every ten years for men and women age 50 and older, unless there are other risk factors that make the disease more likely (such as family history).

Take-home colon cancer screening kits should not replace regular doctor visits, or colonoscopy screening, but are a good tool to screen for blood in the stool, which can be a symptom of colorectal cancer.

The Mobile Health Unit of La Porte Hospital will be distributing the kits in various neighborhoods in La Porte and Starke counties throughout the month of March as supplies last. Outreach professionals also will have a sleep apnea survey available, for National Sleep Awareness Month.

Dates and times of the Mobile Health Unit visits are:

9-10:30 p.m., March 7, Good Will Industries, 1509 E. Lincolnway, La Porte 11 a.m. – Noon, March 7, Salvation Army, 3240 Monroe St., La Porte 10-11:30 a.m., March 8 Kabelin’s, 512 Andrew Ave., La Porte 9-10 a.m., March 13, La Porte County Family YMCA, 2510 Monroe St., La Porte 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m., March 13, La Porte Hospital, lower level, 1007 Lincolnway, La Porte 10-11:30 a.m., March 14, Kroger, 55 Pine Lake Ave., La Porte 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., March 17, Bailey’s Discount Center, 5900 S. Range Road., North Judson 10-11:30 a.m., March 21, Good Will Industries, 3822 Franklin St., Michigan City 10-11:30 a.m., March 23, Starke Hospital, 102 E. Culver Road, Knox 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., March 28, Al’s Supermarket, 702 E. Lincolnway, La Porte