New Colorectal Cancer Screening Event Could Save Lives
CVPH FitzPatrick Cancer Center offering education, free test kits
PLATTSBURGH, NY (4/30/2025) – Patients across the North Country have a chance to get a leg up on the second-leading cause of death from cancer by attending a free screening and education session.
The event, organized in partnership with the American Cancer Society and Cancer Services Program (CSP) of northeastern New York, is set for Thursday, May 15 at 5:30 in the boardroom near the main entrance at University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH).
Colorectal cancer is highly preventable with screening, which starts at age 45 for anyone considered average-risk and not suffering any symptoms. According to the American Cancer Society, the survival rate is 91% when caught early.
“This is truly an opportunity to save your life or the life of someone you love,” says Jeanine Lynch, BSN, RN, OCN, oncology care coordinator at the CVPH FitzPatrick Cancer Center (FCC). “We want to answer any questions people in our community may have and hopefully help folks who are eligible get screened. Catching cancer early gives our providers more tools to fight the disease with. And it gives our patients a much better chance at enjoying more time with family and friends, doing what they love.”
The event, hosted by the FCC and open to all, will include speakers discussing risk factors, symptoms, screening options and prevention. Anyone attending who is age 45 or older and is eligible will receive a free Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT kit) courtesy of CSP. The test can be done in the privacy of the home and sent to a lab to test for colorectal cancer.
The first 20 people who pre-register will be provided a $10 gas card. To pre-register, call Nikki Fenton from CSP at 518-565-8598.
The event is part of University of Vermont Cancer Center’s mission to reduce the burden of cancer in northeastern New York, Vermont and northern New England through research, outstanding clinical care, community outreach and education.
Posted: April 30th, 2025 under Adirondack Region News, Heathcare News, Northern NY News.