St. Elizabeth Physicians Improves Access to Colorectal Cancer Screenings for Rural Communities

New drop-off points (Dillsboro) for at-home testing supports early detection while improving accessibility for patients.

(Edgewood, Ky.) – St. Elizabeth Physicians is pleased to announce the addition of convenient drop-off locations for patients prescribed the Cologuard test, a non-invasive screening tool for colorectal cancer.

This new initiative is part of St. Elizabeth’s ongoing commitment to improving access to essential services, especially in rural areas.

Patients can new drop off their Cologuard samples at the following St. Elizabeth Physicians Primary Care locations:

• Butler, Kentucky
• Dillsboro, Indiana
• Dry Ridge, Kentucky

Cologuard is an FDA-approved test that detects abnormal DNA and blood in stool samples, which can indicate the presence of colon or rectal cancer or precancerous polyps. The test is easy to complete and can be done at home. Once the sample is collected, it then goes to a lab for testing with results generally available in two weeks.

Previously, many St. Elizabeth patients had to utilize UPS locations to drop off their samples.

“Early detection is critical in the fight against colon cancer,” said Dr. Heidi Murley, President and CEO at St. Elizabeth Physicians. “We know that the easier we make the screening process for our patients, the more likely they are to complete their tests. We aim not only to improve ease of access for our patients, but also to increase overall screening rates and improve patient outcomes."

Recent studies have found that individuals who use at-home colorectal cancer screening tests can reduce their risk of dying from colon cancer by up to 33 percent.

For more information regarding the Cologuard testing drop off program call 859-655-8819.