In tough economic times, many people are forced to let important things go by the wayside.
For many who have lost their health insurance, those important things may include life-saving cancer screenings.
In order to address that need, Kinney Drugs has joined with local Cancer Services Program partnerships to offer free cancer screenings to the uninsured.
“The goal is to increase awareness of the free cancer screenings available to men and women who meet criteria set forth by the Cancer Service Program,” said Penny Perrone-Gray, marketing manager for Kinney Drugs. “We want the people in our communities to know how important it is to be screened for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer and to understand how early detection can save lives.”
Age-appropriate breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening is available for eligible men and women. Partnership staff will be on site at 44 Kinney Drug store locations the week of March 2 to discuss how to get a free screening.
The program screens for some of the most common types of cancer among residents of New York state, Perrone-Gray said. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer among women in the state of New York, excluding skin cancers, and it’s the second leading cause of cancer-related death for women in the state. Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers among New Yorkers; more than 3,800 men and women die of colorectal cancer each year, making it the third leading cause of cancer-related death in men and women in the state. Cervical cancer affects fewer women in NYS, with nearly 1,000 cases diagnosed, on average, each year. All three types are highly treatable when found early. In fact, screening tests can prevent colorectal cancer by finding polyps that can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early, when the chance of being cured is very good.
“A lack of health insurance should not stand in the way of getting life-saving cancer screenings,” Perrone-Gray said, “and working with local Cancer Services Program Partnership is one way we can help.”
Perrone-Gray said the screenings are available to anyone in New York state who is without insurance or who cannot pay for the tests themselves. Mammograms and pap tests are available to women 40 and over, and colorectal cancer tests are available to men and women over the age of 50.
This is the first time Kinney has offered the screening, but it will be offered again in September.
“This is one of several free in-store clinics that Kinney Drugs will offer in 2009,” Perrone-Gray said. “Kinney Drugs will continue to form local partnerships with various health care facilities and organizations to provide our communities with numerous free prevention and awareness clinics.”
For more information, visit your local Kinney’s location or call 1-866-442-CANCER (1-866-442-2262).
Kinney offers cancer screenings
Kinney Drugs will offer free age-appropriate cancer screenings at the following Central New York locations, among others:
Noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday March 3 at 703 East Genesee St., Chittenango; 687-6110
2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday March 4 at 7065 Manlius Center Road, East Syracuse; 656-9925
3 to 5 p.m. Friday March 6 at 104 Lafayette Road, Syracuse; 492-0248
For a full listing and phone numbers for participating stores, visit kinneydrugs.com.
