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ABC Action News is joining St. Joseph's Hospital and Publix pharmacy in helping you take action for your health. We are bringing you a free, easy to use, at home test for early detection of colon and rectal cancers.

It's Free and Easy - Pick up your test kit from any participating Publix Pharmacy between March 17, 2008 and May 25, 2008.

Find a Publix Pharmacy near you.

During March and May, stay tuned to ABC Action News at 5pm for live-saving information about Colorectal Cancer from Action News Anchor and Health Reporter Linda Hurtado.

You can check out her past reports here.

Who should take the test? How does it work?

We've got the answers in our Frequently Asked Questions Guide, and if you still have questions, you can always call the experts at St. Joseph's Hospital at 1-800-882-1123.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (.pdf)

CLICK HERE TO VISIT ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL WEBSITE

Helpline - 1-800-882-4123

Knowledge is Power
It's an exciting time in the fight against cancer. Advanced screening opportunities, such as the EZ-DETECT test that detects an early warning sign of colorectal cancer, helps prevent cancer at an early and curable stage by finding polyps that may become cancer.

Taking the EZ-DETECT test is the first step to protecting yourself. St. Joseph's Hospital Cancer Institute is here to help. Call the St. Joseph's Hospital Cancer Institute Cancer Help Line at 813-870-4123 or 1-800-882-4123 with questions about the EZ-DETECT test or colorectal cancer.

Need a doctor?
St. Joseph's Hospital Cancer Institute is home to some of the area's most renowned colorectal specialists and surgeons. For help finding a St. Joseph's Hospital Center Institute physician, call our referral line at 813-870-5437.

St. Joseph's Hospital Cancer Institute St. Joseph's Hospital Cancer Institute is a leader in the fight against colorectal cancer. They're actively committed to education and screening programs. At St. Joseph's Hospital Cancer Institute, the survival rates are equal to or better than state and national rates.

Colon Cancer Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What places an individual at high risk for colon cancer?

A. People at highest risk for colon cancer are those people who have had colon cancer or colon polyps in the past, people with a family history of colon cancer or polyps, people with inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's disease or Ulcerative colitis, and women with a history of breast or endometrial cancer

Q. What are the symptoms of colon cancer?

A. Rectal bleeding, rectal or abdominal pain, change in bowel habits, unintentional weight loss are the most common

Q. Is there anything I can do to prevent colon cancer?

A. No one knows the exact cause of colon cancer but it is likely multifactorial and related to diet, environment and genetics. I recommend a diet low in fat, high in fiber, quiting tobacco use, exercise to control weight, a good knowledge of your family history, and appropriate screening with colonoscopy. At the first sign of any of the symptoms mentioned above, consult with your physician about which should be the next step.

Q. Is a colonoscopy painful?

A. No, the test is performed under sedation with no discomfort to the patient.

	Test for Life: 33-year-old tri-athlete gets colon cancer All this month we are bringing you information about colon cancer. Today, we introduce you to a thirty-three year old tri-athelete whose colon cancer diagnosis shocked her.
	Test for Life: Free colorectal cancer test available ABC Action News is teaming up with St. Jospeh's Hospital Cancer Institute and Publix Pharmacies to offer you a free test you can take in the privacy of your own home that can detect blood in your stool.
	Test for Life - How to use the kit We show you how to use the free Test for Life kit you can pick up at your local Publix pharmacies.
	Test for Life - Nurse is ten year survivor A nurse working with a colorectal cancer surgeon says it's ironic - she's a ten year survivor herself.
	Test for Life: The colonoscopy Are you afraid of going through a colonoscopy? We take you through the procedure tonight.