At Kearny County Hospital, we care about your health and want to make it easy for you to receive the preventive care services and information you need. Preventive health screenings are crucial for early disease detection and prevention. Taking a proactive approach to your well-being can save your life—or the life of someone you love. The earlier many diseases are diagnosed, the more time there is to treat them, and the more options for treatment are available.

We offer convenient colonoscopies here at the hospital and annual physicals at our clinics. We also perform sports physicals at schools or in our clinics if needed. For additional health screenings to detect breast cancer, lung cancer, skin cancer, cardiac issues and more, our providers are part of a trusted referral network to get you the care you need to live a longer, healthier life. We can also take your lab draws and images here locally to support your specialized screenings. Learn more about these types of screenings below.

Detect and Prevent Colorectal Cancer

A colonoscopy is the first and most important step in the fight against colorectal cancer. Since the procedure involves painlessly removing pre-cancerous polyps, colonoscopies not only detect cancer, but they can also prevent it. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, so early intervention is everything. They are typically recommended beginning at age 45 or earlier if you have risk factors, like a family history of colon cancer. Men and women both should be screened for colorectal cancer at least every ten years.

At KCH, we make your colonoscopy as comfortable as possible, with the convenience of being close to home. That’s why we offer colonoscopy appointments five days a week. Ask your primary care provider about your risk factors and the referral process.

Guard Your Heart with Cardiac Screenings

Cardiac health is vital for everyone, and cardiac screenings are not limited to specific age groups, lifestyle factors or demographics. As the leading cause of death in the United States, identifying and managing your risk factors for cardiac disease can significantly reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Regular check-ups that include blood pressure monitoring, cholesterol checks, and EKGs can help identify potential heart issues before they become serious. Your primary care provider can also refer you for screenings, like cardiac scoring, which is non-invasive and can be completed during a short visit. These tests can help determine if and where your heart’s blood flow is blocked.

Our family medicine providers can refer you for cardiac screening if you have certain risk factors and help you make lifestyle changes to improve your cardiac health.

Your First Defense in the Fight Against Breast Cancer

Mammograms check for breast cancer, a disease that affects one in every eight women. However, breast cancer is highly treatable when caught early, and mammograms are crucial for early detection and treatment.

Regular mammograms, especially for women over 40, are pivotal in identifying breast cancer in its initial stages. Women should have a risk assessment at age 30 to identify risk factors, including family history.

Our family medicine and women’s health providers can help you assess your breast cancer risk, perform clinical breast exams, and provide you a referral for a mammogram. Call 620-355-7550 to make an appointment with one of our providers.

Protect Yourself Against Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide, but early detection can mean less invasive treatments with better outcomes. Because skin cancer is caused by sun exposure, it’s a good idea to have your skin examined by a dermatologist each year to identify suspicious moles, spots or changes that may indicate skin cancer.

Regular skin checks are crucial, especially if you have a family history of skin cancer or an increased risk of sun exposure. The family medicine team at KCH is happy to offer referrals for specialty dermatology care and provide guidance on how to increase your sun protection—reducing your risk of skin cancer in the future.

Breathe Easier with Lung Cancer Screening

Lung screenings are essential for those at high risk for lung cancer, especially smokers and former smokers. While smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, even non-smokers may be at risk.

Lung cancer often presents no symptoms until it reaches advanced stages, so regular screenings are important for treatment and early intervention that prevents the disease from spreading. Adults over 55 with a smoking history should receive annual lung cancer screenings to identify lung cancer at a more manageable stage, significantly improving survival rates.

Ask your primary care provider for a referral if you have these risk factors or believe you may benefit from lung cancer screening. And if you’re ready to quit smoking, our family medicine clinic can help you with the support and resources to quit for good.

Sports Physicals Are Almost Here

Preventive health screenings are part of a broader healthcare framework, and your primary care team plays a central role. In addition to year-round physical exams and a comprehensive referral network for specialty care and screenings, we also help our youngest patients get a head start on their health with sports physicals, beginning this spring.

For your convenience, they are performed at the school on a first-come, first-serve basis with no appointment necessary. Can’t make it out to one of our school visits? Our family medicine clinic offers them in addition to their regular wellness offerings by appointment. These exams are typically offered to middle school aged students and older, or younger if your child is playing football in the upcoming season.