Colorectal Cancer Screening Program

The Iowa Get Screened (IGS): Colorectal Cancer Program partners with Iowa’s Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and local public health agencies  to increase screenings for colorectal cancer. Through a collaboration with the Iowa Primary Care Association (Iowa PCA) and FQHCs, the department serves low-income Iowans, ages 45-75, to:

• Increase the number of cancers prevented 
• Increase the diagnosis of early stage colorectal cancer
• Reduce colorectal cancer incidence and mortality in the state

Colorectal Cancer Symptoms

• Blood in your stool
• Abdominal pain or cramps that occur often for unknown reasons
• A change in bowel habits or having stools which are narrower than usual
• Losing weight for unknown reasons
• Diarrhea, constipation or feeling the bowel does not empty completely
• Constant tiredness
• Nausea or vomiting

Risk Factors

• Being Overweight
• Physical activity
• Diet
• Long-term smoking
• Alcohol

Colorectal Cancer Screening

When to get screened?

• Men and women age 45 or older
• Younger than 45 with a personal or family history of polyp(s) or colorectal cancer
• If you have signs or symptoms of colorectal cancer; have Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease, or Inflammatory Bowel Disease; or have changes in your stool habits

Where & how to get screened?

You may be eligible for a low cost or no cost screening.

IGS Program Screening Locations

Income Guidelines

Talk to your doctor for more information about the many types of screenings

Colorectal cancer screening is recommended starting at age 45. Some health insurance plans may not cover screening before age 50, so check with your plan if you are under age 50.

Resources

• National Cancer Institute's State Cancer Profiles
• State Health Registry of Iowa (County Level Data)
• Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (State Level Data)
• Iowa County Health Rankings
• Colon Cancer Foundation of Iowa
• The Iowa Cancer Consortium
• The American Cancer Society
• The National Cancer Institute
• The Centers for Disease Control
• The Prevent Cancer Foundation
• The Colorectal Cancer Coalition
• The Colon Cancer Alliance
• The National Comprehensive Cancer Network
• United States Preventive Services Task Force
• National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable
• Fight Cancer
• Crohn's Disease
• Iowa Cancer Registry

Program Contacts: 

Jeanna Jones, Colorectal Cancer Screening Promotion Coordinator: 515-371-1376

Victoria Brenton, Reporting and Coordinating Manager: 515-371-0741

Jill Myers-Geadelmann, Project Director and Bureau Chief: 515-242-6067