Often called the “silent killer,” nearly 50,000 men and women in the United States will die from colon cancer this year. However, thanks to reliable and effective screening tools for the disease, you can greatly reduce your risk for colon cancer. To detect colon cancer early, you must receive the regularly recommended screening tests, such as a colonoscopy, at the appropriate ages. In addition, a simple home test for colon cancer is available free through Goshen Center for Cancer Care (Goshen, IN) and is a first step.


Colon cancer develops slowly over a period of years, and rarely shows symptoms. For this reason, regular colonoscopy screenings can help detect the disease early by finding polyps (small growths responsible for almost all colon cancers) before they turn cancerous. As the preferred screening method for colon cancer, colonoscopies can dramatically increase survival rates.

During a colonoscopy, a doctor examines the large intestine for any abnormalities using a colonoscope—a long, flexible tube with a video camera on the end inserted through the colon. This painless outpatient procedure only lasts about a half hour, and any discovered polyps can be removed, often preventing cancer.

Starting at age 50, you should get a colonoscopy once every 10 years. If you’re at a higher-than- average risk, you should talk with your doctor about whether to have a colonoscopy earlier. To find out how to schedule a colonoscopy, contact Nurse On Call at 877.846.4447.

Another common colon cancer screening is a fecal occult blood test, offered free at Goshen Hospital as a convenient home test. This offered blood test is a good first step for the early detection of colon cancer and, along with a colonoscopy, is one part of an overall screening program. Fecal occult blood tests should be performed annually after age 50 to analyze stool samples for hidden blood, a possible sign of bleeding polyps. But keep in mind, these blood tests rarely find polyps early, and a negative result doesn’t confirm the absence of colon cancer.

Make sure you discuss these additional colon cancer screening tests with your doctor. A sigmoidoscopy and double-contrast enema are a part of some screening programs and are recommended every five years beginning at age 50.

Screening for colon cancer at home is quick and easy. And you don’t even need to schedule an appointment. Order your free fecal occult blood test for colon cancer by completing the form to the right or contact us at 877.566.4660. You can pick up the test at Goshen General Hospital, where staff from Goshen Center for Cancer Care will be available to answer your questions, or we can send the test to your home. Either way, colon cancer is highly treatable when caught early. And almost always survivable with regular screenings.

If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer and want a second opinion, or to learn more about Goshen Center for Cancer Care, call 866.671.HOPE to speak with one of our Oncology Information Specialists.