Free At-Home Colon Cancer Screening Kits Available

Residents in Springfield will have several opportunities this month to receive free at home colon cancer screening kits through a series of drive through events organized by local health providers. The effort is part of a regional initiative during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month aimed at encouraging early detection and making screening more accessible to the community.

The events are being coordinated by the Regional Cancer Partnership, a collaboration that includes Memorial Health, HSHS St. John’s Hospital, Springfield Clinic and the SIU School of Medicine. Organizers say the goal is to remove common barriers to screening by providing a simple test that can be completed privately at home.

Tia Rapps, community cancer education coordinator for the Regional Cancer Center, said the program allows residents to take an important step in monitoring their health without needing to schedule an appointment or visit a clinic. Participants can drive through the designated locations, remain in their vehicles, and receive a screening kit while supplies last.

Each kit includes instructions for completing the test at home along with a prepaid envelope to return the sample by mail. After collecting the sample, participants send the kit back to the lab and results are later mailed directly to them. Health officials recommend returning the completed test within 10 days.

Several distribution events are planned in Springfield throughout March. The first will take place Wednesday, March 11, at the Simmons Cancer Institute drive through location at 315 West Carpenter Street. Kits will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and again from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Another Springfield distribution will be held Thursday, March 12, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Springfield Clinic 900 Building drive through site located at 900 North First Street.

Additional opportunities are scheduled later in the month. Residents can pick up screening kits on Wednesday, March 25, from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Memorial Drive Thru Lab on East Carpenter Street. A final Springfield event will take place Thursday, March 26, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at St. John’s Pavilion, located at 301 North Eighth Street.

Medical professionals recommend colorectal cancer screening beginning at age 45, though individuals with certain risk factors may benefit from earlier screening. Risk factors can include a personal history of colorectal polyps or inflammatory bowel disease, smoking, heavy alcohol use, obesity, or diets high in red or processed meats.

Health officials say early detection plays an important role in reducing deaths from colorectal cancer. Screening tests can identify precancerous growths before they become cancer and can detect cancer earlier when treatment is more effective.

Residents seeking additional information about the screening events or the take home test kits may contact the Regional Cancer Partnership at 217-788-4400.