Screening Colonoscopies for Uninsured People Program (SCUP)

Mission

To provide Rhode Islanders with limited access to healthcare who are between the ages of 50 to 64 with colorectal screening.

2009 Accomplishments

We have partnered with over 60 Rhode Island gastroenterologists who have volunteered to perform free screening colonoscopies to low-income, uninsured patients of community health centers.

A colonoscopy can remove any polyps that may be pre-cancerous, thus serving as cancer prevention.  If there is cancer present, a screening colonoscopy can detect the cancer at an early and treatable stage

What you should do

If you of a qualifying age, have no history of colorectal cancer, have not been experiencing medical symptoms such as rectal bleeding or severe abdominal pain, have not had a coloscopy within the last ten years, and have limited or no healthcare coverage, you should qualify for a free screening. You should talk to you healthcare provider about getting a screening. Contact your local health center to see if you can have the free screening. (more)