RICHMOND UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER AND HHC OFFER FREE COLON CANCER SCREENINGS

Because more than 148,000 men and women will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer, Richmond University Medical Center and the Health and Hospital Corporation of New York City have teamed up to offer free colon cancer screenings in November. Up to 40 patients will be screened at no cost. To take advantage of this, please make your appointment by October 31. The colonoscopy must be performed by Nov. 30.

“We are happy to partner with HHC to make colonoscopies available to people who might not otherwise have access to one,” said Richard Salhany, MBA, Chief Operating Officer of Richmond University Medical Center.

Those who are at risk for colorectal cancer include:

• Men and women who are 50 and older
• People with a personal or family history of colon cancer or benign colorectal polyps
• People with a family history of inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s Disease
• People with a family history of uninherited colorectal disease
• People who use tobacco
• People who are obsess and/or sedentary

Men and women at average risk should begin regular screening at age 50. If you are at greater risk, you may need to begin regular colorectal cancer screening at an earlier age. Options for screening include:

• Annual Fecal Occult Blood Test
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years, a colonoscopy or double contrast barium enema every five to 10 years. Non-cancerous polyps, grape-like growths on the lining of the colon or rectum, should be removed to help prevent colorectal cancer.
• Digital rectal exam every five to 10 years.

If there is a personal or family history of colorectal cancer, benign colorectal polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, or breast, ovarian or endometrial cancer, talk with a health care professional about earlier and more frequent screening. If you are African American, experts suggest that you begin screening at age 45.

If you do not have insurance or your insurance does not cover colon cancer screening, you may be eligible for a free screening. For more information and to sign up this month, call (718) 818-5891 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., or leave a message at (718) 818-5849 if calling after hours.

Richmond University Medical Center’s main campus is located at 355 Bard Avenue, Staten Island, New York 10310. Additional outpatient service and behavioral health service are offered at the Bayley Seton campus located at 75 Vanderbilt Avenue, Staten Island, New York 10304.