PLATTSBURGH — the Clinton County Health Department offers free screening for several conditions for men and women who do not have health insurance.

Recently, it added screening for colon cancer to its programs for the uninsured, which for nearly two decades has included tests for breast and cervical cancer.

“It is so vital that we catch signs of cancer early,” said Lisa Turner, senior public health educator for Clinton County. “Early detection gives us the best chance for survival.”

Free screenings for the uninsured begin at age 40 for women being checked for breast and cervical cancer and 50 for women and men being screened for colorectal cancer.

The Health Department has received state and federal grants for the breast and cervical program since 1992, and the state increased its support for colorectal screenings a few years ago.

“The American Cancer Society does recommend colonoscopy screenings every five to 10 years, depending on results of the initial screening (at age 50),” said Didi Remchuk, cancer-screening coordinator for the CVPH Medical Center.

Colonoscopies are used to internally search the colon for precancerous polyps, or abnormal growths in the colon or rectum.

“Colon cancer is a preventable cancer,” Remchuk added. “If you’re able to remove those polyps early, that’s the best way to prevent colon cancer.”

Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second-leading cause of death in both men and women in the United States. An estimated one in 20 people will develop colorectal cancer during his or her lifetime.

In New York state, more than 10,400 people develop cancer of the colon and rectum annually, and nearly 3,600 New Yorkers die from the disease each year.

“We screen an average of 120 men and women (for colorectal cancer),” Turner said. “Often, there are no symptoms, so regular screening is important.”

People with a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps or those with other high-risk conditions, such as a history of inflammatory bowel disease, may need to begin screening at an earlier age, Turner noted.

“There are ways to help reduce your risk of colorectal cancer,” she said. “These include getting screened, making healthy food choices, quitting smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation and getting regular physical activity.”

Diets that are high in vegetables and fruit and low in fat also help protect against many types of cancers, she added. Regular physical activity can also protect against heart disease and other illnesses.

During the preliminary steps for colorectal screening, the Health Department can determine if a person is eligible for the free program and can also categorize them at increased risk or high risk for colon or rectal cancer.

The Health Department also has available new take-home tests for colorectal screening. the Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) allows patients to test for possible signs of colorectal cancer by identifying blood in bowel movements.

Results are mailed back to the Health Department, and if the test is positive, a colonoscopy is scheduled to further search for a cause.

The annual take-home tests are ideal for people at increased risk to monitor their condition between scheduled colonoscopies.

Patients screened through the county program will be referred to local doctors if follow-up exams are needed.

Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake is also emphasizing the benefits of early screening for colorectal cancer with a monthlong informational booth on display in the main lobby.

E-mail Jeff Meyers at: