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Nebraska Colon Cancer Screening Program (NCP) is a colon cancer screening program that offers enrollment, screening and education to Nebraska men and women who are 50-74 years of age.

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What would you like to do?

What you need to know

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Screening Saves Lives! 

Women and men over the age of 45 are at an increased risk for colon cancer. Having regular screening tests beginning at age 50 could save your life. Screening can find precancerous polyps (abnormal growths in the colon or rectum) so they can be removed before turning into cancer. Screening can find colorectal cancer at an early stage, when treatment often leads to a cure.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States, and Nebraska ranks 41st for screening rates, but we can do better. Get screened today!

Colorectal Cancer Screening Age Update:

The Nebraska Colon Cancer Screening Program has changed its screening age from 50 years of age to 45 in order to fall in line with the 2021 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations. 

The program will update forms as resources are available to reflect this change.

 

FIT Kit Request Form

Colon cancer is the fourth most diagnosed cancer in Nebraska. Colon cancer screening saves lives. Regular screening, beginning at age 45, is the key to preventing colon cancer. If you're 45 to 75 years old, request a FIT Kit (home screening kit) so you can be screened for colon cancer.

    Colon Cancer Signs & Symptoms

    Colon cancer often starts with no symptoms. The exact cause of most colon cancers is not known, however research says that approximately 75% of colorectal cancers occur in people with no known risk factors.

    Risk factors may increase a person's risk of developing colon cancer.  Risk factors include having a family history of colon or rectal polyps or colorectal cancer, or Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn's Disease) Genetic syndromes.

    Colon cancer develops with few, if any, symptoms at first.  If symptoms are present, they may include:

    • Blood in or on the stool
    • A change in bowel habits
    • Stools that are narrower than usual
    • General, unexplained stomach discomfort
    • Frequent gas, pains, or indigestion
    • Unexplained weight loss
    • Chronic fatigue

    These symptoms can also be associated with other health conditions.  If you have any of the symptoms, discuss them with your health care provider.  Only your health care provider, through testing, can determine why you're having these symptoms.

    Colon Cancer Screening Tests

    The following are recommendations for men and women 45 years of age and older.  The recommendations are to use one or a combination of the following tests for persons at average risk.

    Home Based Screening Test (stool test)​ - Yearly
    Sigmoidoscopy - Every 5 years
    Colonoscopy - Every 10 years
    Double Contrast Barium Enema (DCBE) - Every 5-10 Years

    Screening Tests At-A-Glance (English)
    Screening Tests At-A-Glance (Spanish)

    Colon Cancer Prevention

    Seven steps to lowering your risk of colon cancer:

    • Get regular colon cancer screening tests beginning at age 45.
    • Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains from breads, cereals, nuts and beans.
    • Eat a low-fat diet.
    • Eat foods with folate such as leafy green vegetables.  A daily multivitamin containing .4mg of folic acid may also be helpful.
    • If you use alcohol, drink only in moderation.
    • If you use tobacco, quit.  If you don't use tobacco, don't start.
    • Exercise for a least 20 minutes three to four days each week.  Moderate exercise such as walking, gardening or climbing steps may help reduce your risk.

    Resources and E​ducation

    Colon Cancer Facts (English)                
    Colon Cancer Facts (Spanish)

    Questions to Ask Your Doctor (English)   
    Questions to Ask Your Doctor (Spanish)

    Screening Tests At-A-Glance (English)
    Screening Tests At-A-Glance (Spanish)

    Colitis Fact Sheet (English) (Spanish)
    Crohns Fact Sheet (English) (Spanish)
    Familial Adenomatous Polyposis Fact Sheet (English) (Spanish)
    Hereditary Non Polyposis Colorectal Cancer Fact Sheet (English) (Spanish)
    Inflammatory Bowel Disease Fact Sheet (English) (Spanish)
    Rectal Bleeding Fact Sheet (English) (Spanish)

    Zoom Meeting Recording: 7/14/21 Nebraska Colorectal Cancer Screening Engagement Meeting
    "Reigniting Colorectal Cancer Screening in Nebraska with a Focus on the Medicaid Population" 

     

     

    Nebraska Colon Cancer Screening Program
    Department of Health & Human Services
    Phone Number
    (402) 471-0929
    Toll Free Number
    (800) 532-2227
    Fax Number
    (402) 471-0913
    Mailing Address
    301 Centennial Mall South, P.O. Box 94817, Lincoln, Nebraska 68509-4817