Kinney Drugs is partnering with the American Cancer Society and Upstate Cancer Center to supply free colorectal cancer screening kits for community members during June.

Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death but can be successfully treated with early detection. Kinney’s hopes this offer will improve screening rates and early detection.

Screening kits are available this month for all customers age 50 or older for pickup at the pharmacies at any of the Kinney Drugs stores in Massena, Potsdam, Ogdensburg, Canton, and the company’s home town of Gouverneur.

Customers complete the screening kit at home and mail completed kits directly to Upstate. Upstate Cancer Center will process the kits in its laboratories; customers will be notified of the test results.

“More than one in three adults age 50 and older are not being screened as recommended for colon cancer,” said Martha Ryan, RN, American Cancer Society senior director of community engagement. “The benefit of screening is clear – it prevents colon cancers from developing by removing polyps and it detects cancers early when they are highly curable.”

“We’re proud to partner with the American Cancer Society and Upstate Cancer Center to bring colon cancer screenings directly to our communities,” said Jim Spencer, president of Kinney Drugs stores. “Our initiative will help increase patient access and build awareness about the dangers of colon cancer, hopefully resulting in lives saved.”