Sam's Club® Offers Free Digestive Health Screenings

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Oct. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Sam's Club® is offering free health screenings to encourage members to take charge of their digestive health this holiday season. In the United States, colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in men and women combined. Fortunately this disease is more than 90 percent treatable when caught in its earliest stages. On Saturday, November 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., every Sam's Club location with a pharmacy will offer all members and non-members* free and simple tests that are vital to preventing colon cancer and other digestive disorders.

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"Every 10 minutes a life is lost to colon cancer. Although many people may consider colon screenings an embarrassing topic of conversation, this cancer can be detected early when treatment is most effective — or even prevented altogether," said Jill Turner-Mitchael, senior vice president, Sam's Club Health and Wellness. "Our digestive health screenings are a simple way for members to take an active role in the prevention of digestive disorders, including the early discovery of colon cancer."

In addition to a take-home colon test (EZ DETECT™ Stool Blood Test), the free digestive health screenings will include cholesterol, glucose**, blood pressure and Body Mass Index (BMI) screenings. EZ DETECT is a test for early detection of bowel disorders such as colon cancer, ulcers, hemorrhoids, polyps, colitis, diverticulitis or fissures. More product information can be found at www.ezdetect.com. During the screenings, Sam's Club pharmacies will also offer free samples of seasonal health-related products, including Prevacid®, Boogie Wipes® and Zeiss Wipes by Carl Zeiss Vision, plus awareness information. Members are encouraged to talk to their doctors for further information about colon cancer screenings.

The free health screening events at Sam's Club help members take charge of their health. With more than 285,000 free screenings provided in U.S. Clubs this year, Sam's Club continues to serve communities in January 2012 with a series of "New Year, New You!" screenings, including cholesterol, glucose**, BMI and blood pressure. Additionally, Sam's Club licensed professional pharmacists, serving members and the public, are always available to support their communities with preventative health and wellness solutions,  quick personal assistance and low prices on the medications patients need.

For more information, times and locations of free health screenings in participating Sam's Club locations, visit SamsClub.com/healthyliving.

About Sam's Club®

Sam's Club®, a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), is the nation's eighth largest retailer and a leading membership warehouse club offering superior products and services to more than 47 million members in clubs across the U.S., as well as in Brazil, China and Mexico. Members save an average of 30 percent over traditional retailers. To learn more about Savings Made Simple®, visit SamsClub.com, and look for Sam's Club on Twitter and Facebook.

*While supplies last. Quantities of tests and samples are limited in each club.

**Cholesterol & Glucose testing not available in TN, MD and HI.

SOURCE Sam's Club