By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Finding out early if someone has signs of cancer can make all the difference in beating the disease.

Members of Centre Masonic Lodge #147 at Marion have arranged free cancer screenings Sept. 16 during Art in the Park.

Melvin Honeyfield, worshipful master at Centre Lodge, said the cancer screenings are offered in conjunction with Kansas Masonic Foundation, which selected 28 sites this year, including Marion.

“I thought it would save lives,” he said.

Honeyfield said the Florence lodge offered cancer screenings two years ago and were later notified that six people were referred to their physicians for follow-up checks.

Tests will include skin and prostate screenings, Screen-to-Save colon cancer kits, body mass index assessment, and breath tests to measure lung exposure to carbon monoxide.

Test results are confidential, with results reported only to the person screened and their physician if they wish.

“Screening is our way of detecting cancer at the earliest stages, and the earlier cancer is detected, the better we can provide effective treatment,” St. Luke Clinic nurse practitioner Tracy Grafton said. “Early detection saves lives. Screening picks up on things that we don’t have any symptoms for.”

Testing will be done 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Eastmoor United Methodist Church.