Screening made simple: Erie County's Cancer Services Program & Tops Friendly Markets offer free colorectal cancer FIT kits

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Submitted by the Erie County Department of Health

The Erie County Cancer Services Program (CSP) will hand out free FIT kits at 12 Tops Friendly Markets in March for National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

 “We are so excited to get FIT kits into the hands of eligible adults with this partnership with Tops Markets and educate people on the importance of this noninvasive test,” Cancer Services Program Director Michelle Wysocki said. “We appreciate being able to address the myths and misinformation around colorectal cancer screening at events like this one, and show just how easy, convenient and private the testing process is.”

In the privacy of your own home, you can easily collect a sample and mail it to a lab for testing with the prepaid envelope provided by CSP. Screening is suggested for those 45 to 75 years old at average risk for colorectal cancer.

“We encourage people to talk to their doctor about their colorectal cancer risks,” Wysocki continued. “Our program can provide these kits to any Erie County resident between 45-75 years of age, regardless of insurance status. If you are uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible to have the test cost covered by our program.”

The Erie County Cancer Services Program provides breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings and diagnostic services at no cost to adults who live in Erie County, do not have health insurance, have health insurance with a cost share that makes the cost of screening too high, and meet the program rules for age and income. Costs for additional, necessary diagnostic tests may also be covered under a New York state program. Visit the CSP website at www.erie.gov/cancerservices or call 716-858-7376.

FIT Kit Test

A FIT kit screens for colon cancer.  You do the test at home, and it is very easy to use.  Then, you mail it to a lab and they test it for you. You can order a free FIT kit here or call CSP at 716-858-7376. 

Watch this video about how to use a FIT kit. 

March 2024 Tops Locations & Dates

All events takes place from 4-7 p.m.

•Alden

• 12775 Broadway, March 4

•Amherst 

• 9660 Transit Road, March 8
• 3980 Maple Road, March 25

•Buffalo 

• 1460 S. Park/Bailey, March 1
• 2101 Elmwood Ave., March 11
• 1740 Sheridan Drive, March 18

•Cheektowaga

• 700 Thruway Plaza Drive, March 27

•Depew 

• 4777 Transit Road, March 13

•Hamburg 

• 6150 S. Park Ave., March 15

•Springville 

• 184 S. Cascade Drive, March 22

•Tonawanda 

• 890 Young St., March 6

•West Seneca

• 355 Orchard Park Road, March 20

Schedule updates at cspwny.org. 

For more:

√ Erie County Department of Health, cancer services program: 716-858-7376 or http://www.erie.gov/cancerservices    

√ New York State Department of Health, colorectal cancer: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/cancer/colorectal/