Good Samaritan And Area Health Care Facilities Host Free Colorectal Cancer Screening March 6-31

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. This year, it is estimated that 950 Nebraskans will be diagnosed with the disease. Seven of 10 colorectal cancer deaths could be prevented, if all men and women age 45 or older were screened regularly.

CHI Health Good Samaritan and several area health care facilities have joined forces during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month to increase yearly screening.

March 6-31, men and women ages 45 to 75 are encouraged to call 1-800-658-5169 or 308-865-7884 weekdays from 8 am to 4:30 pm to request a FREE home screening kit that detects hidden blood in the stool–a potential sign of colorectal cancer. 

The kit arrives by mail and includes a Fecal Occult Blood Test along with easy-to-follow instructions for at-home collection. Completed tests, returned in the envelope provided, are analyzed. Participants and their primary care physicians are both notified with the results.

It is recommended those age 45 and older complete a Fecal Occult Blood Test every year.

If you have a history of polyps and/or colon cancer in your family, talk with your doctor about earlier and more frequent screening. Recommended screening options include: home screening test (Fecal Occult Blood Test) every year, a flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years and a colonoscopy every 10 years. A colonoscopy is still the most effective way to detect colon cancer. People who are in good health with life expectancy of more than 10 years should continue regular colorectal cancer screening through the age of 75. People ages 76 through 85 should make a decision with their medical provider about whether to be screened, based on their overall health and prior screening history. People over 85 should no longer get colorectal cancer screening.

For more information visit www.chihealth.com/ColorectalScreening. 

To request a free home screening kit, visit or call your local participating facility:

CHI Health Regional Cancer Center at Good Samaritan, Kearney, NE, 308-865-7884

Brown County Hospital, Ainsworth, NE, 402-387-2800

Callaway District Hospital & Arnold Medical Clinics, Callaway, NE, 308-836-2228

Community Hospital-McCook, McCook, NE, 308-344-8550

Cozad Community Health System, Cozad, NE, 308-784-2261

Dundy County Hospital & Quality Health Care Clinic, Benkelman, NE, 308-423-2151

Franklin County Memorial Hospital, Franklin, NE, 308-425-6221

Gothenburg Health, Gothenburg, NE, 308-537-4075

Lexington Regional Health Center, Lexington, NE, 308-324-1626

West Holt Medical Services, Atkinson, NE, 402-925-2811