Colorectal Cancer Color Program
The main goal of the Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP) is to educate the community about the importance of colorectal cancer screening. If you are over the age of 50, have family history of this disease, or are currently having symptoms such as rectal bleeding, you should get screened.
The CRCCP also offers free screening services to those who qualify. To be eligible for screening services you must:
- Be between the ages of 50-64
- Have an income of 200% or below the federal poverty level
- Not have any insurance that covers colorectal cancer screening
- Not have any immediate family or personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps
- Have not had a stool exam within the past year, sigmoidoscopy in the past five years, or colonoscopy in the past 10 years
- Have been a permanent resident in the U.S. for at least five years or U.S. citizen and be a Miami-Dade County resident
- Have no active intestinal symptoms, including bleeding
If you have questions about colorectal cancer, would like educational material, or would like to be referred to a Federally Qualified Health Center that offers screening services on a sliding fee scale, please call the program office at:
305-470-5753
Our program advocates the use of the Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) for colorectal cancer screening by those who have never had a colonoscopy or other diagnostic procedure done in the past. The FIT test is a newer exam that can be done in the privacy of your own home. It is an affordable method that many primary care providers can offer you. Call your primary care provider and ask for a FIT today.
For more information about the FIT, please visit: www.gettheFITfacts.com
You can also visit the state CRCCP main webpage at:
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Family/cancer/crc/index.html
Colorectal Cancer Facts:
- Colorectal Cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer death amongst cancers that affect both men and women in the U.S.
- Greater than 90% of polyps become cancerous in their lifetime—early screening is key in preventing cancer.
- Only 1 in 3 adults within screening recommendations were screened for colorectal cancer in 2010.
- Between 2003 and 2007 colorectal cancer screening prevented approximately 50% of the new cases and deaths associated tocolorectal cancer.
- Get screened today, it could save your life.
