March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month: Early Detection Saves Lives
This March, the Erie County Cancer Services Program (CSP) is partnering with Tops Friendly Markets (Tops) to provide free FIT kits for National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
“We are excited to collaborate with Tops once again to distribute FIT kits at 13 of their locations to eligible adults,” said Cancer Services Program Director Michelle Wysocki. “This partnership allows us to raise awareness about the importance of colorectal cancer screening, address common misconceptions, and show how easy and private the process can be.”
The FIT Kit is a simple, non-invasive test that allows average-risk adults ages 45-74 years to screen for colorectal cancer at home. After collecting a sample, you mail it to a lab using a prepaid envelope. Eligible customers can pick up a kit at participating Tops Pharmacies on select dates in March. Watch this video about how to use a FIT Kit.
“We want to make colorectal cancer screening accessible and convenient for everyone,” Wysocki said. “Our program ensures that eligible Erie County residents can get screened, regardless of their insurance coverage, because early detection saves lives.”
The Erie County Cancer Services Program also provides free breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings and diagnostic services for uninsured or underinsured adults in Erie County. Additional diagnostic tests, if needed, may also be covered through a New York State program. For more information, visit www.erie.gov/cancerservices or call (716) 858-7376.
March 2026 Tops Locations, Dates, and Times:
ALDEN
12775 Broadway • 3/3/26 • 4-7pm
AMHERST
9660 Transit • 3/5/26 • 4-7pm
3980 Maple • 3/21/26 • 9am-1pm
BUFFALO
1460 South Park • 3/9/26 • 4-7pm
2101 Elmwood • 3/12/26 • 4-7pm
1275 Jefferson • 3/19/26 • 4-7pm
CHEEKTOWAGA
3865 Union • 3/11/26 • 4-7pm
700 Thruway Plaza Dr. • 3/25/26 • 4-7pm
DERBY
6914 Erie • 3/4/26 • 4-7pm
HAMBURG
6150 South Park • 3/10/26 • 4-7pm
SPRINGVILLE
184 S. Cascade Drive • 3/5/26 •4-7pm
WEST SENECA
800 Harlem • 3/12/26 • 4-7pm
355 Orchard Park Rd• 3/16/26 • 4-7pm
Schedule updates at cspwny.org.
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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/
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