MURPHYSBORO – The Jackson County Health Department is pleased to announce that free colorectal screening kits are available for persons 45-75 years of age, but only through the month of June.

Those who fit the age requirements may stop by the Health Department’s front building weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to pick up a kit. Additionally, pick-up is available until 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 27. Once kits have been returned to the Health Department and processed, participants will be notified of results, and referred to a specialist if the test is abnormal.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers among men and women, but it can be prevented with routine screening. The available kits test for occult (hidden) blood in stool. A fecal occult blood test checks a bowel movement (stool) sample for blood that can’t be seen with the naked eye. Blood in the stool is a sign of bleeding in the digestive tract. This could indicate cancer, polyps, hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, or inflammatory bowel disease. An abnormal test result means something in your colon may have changed and you need further testing, such as a colonoscopy.

Over 5,200 colorectal cancer cases were reported in Illinois in 2020. Help avoid being a statistic. Take advantage of a free and easy screening kit available from the Jackson County Health Department through the end of June.

For more information about the Colorectal Screening program, please call the Jackson County Health Department at 618-684-3143, ext 150.