Inside All Care

Simple FIT Kit Detects Patient Colorectal Cancer and Saves Life

  • By Kerri Hodges

In September of 2020, Barb was experiencing bowel incontinence and it kept getting worse.  On Halloween, she was trick or treating with her grandson and was unable to control her diarrhea.  It was embarrassing.  That was the final straw.  She made an appointment to see her provider at All Care Health Center. 

Her provider recommended that she complete colorectal cancer screening and sent her home with a FIT Kit.  A FIT (Fecal Immunochemical Test) Kit detects blood in your stool, which can be a sign of cancer. FIT Kits are simple and non-invasive and can be done in the comfort of your own home. There are also no dietary or medication restrictions so you can continue to eat your regular meals and take your medications when testing. 

When Barb’s results came back, they were positive for blood in her stool.  The next step was a colonoscopy. 

Her colonoscopy found a Stage 2 tumor and Barb was scheduled for surgery.  Her surgery was successful.  Her follow-up scans showed that all of her other organs were fine.  She required no chemotherapy.  A week following her surgery, she began to feel better every day.  It is now March, and she is visiting her current provider, Diedra Thies, at All Care for her A1C check.  She is following all of her provider’s recommendations that keep her health in check, including now annual colonoscopies. 

Barb is 64 years old.  She has been practicing annual screenings for colorectal cancer ever since she began coming to All Care, which was about the time she turned 50 years old.  “Screening is very important!  Otherwise, the tumor would never have been found.  It saved my life; I’m convinced,” states Barb. 

After working two to three jobs at a time to raise her four boys, alone, Barb enjoys retirement, including her seven grandkids, and spends a lot of her time reading.  She feels it is important to share the message of the importance of colorectal cancer screening.   

All Care Health Center is committed to screening all patients over the age of 50.  Our providers encourage each of her patients to follow through with their instructions to complete a FIT Kit.  It’s simple and it just may save your life.