Get F.I.T. to Stay Fit
We are stepping up the fight against colorectal cancer in the Texas Panhandle. The Get F.I.T. to Stay Fit program is a grant-funded program through the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT).
What is Get F.I.T. to Stay Fit?
Get F.I.T. serves the top 32 counties of the Texas Panhandle. Getting screened is easy. The program uses a FREE, at-home testing method, Fecal Immunochemical Test, or F.I.T. for colorectal cancer screening. Testing at appropriate intervals gives your physician the best chance to catch cancer in its early stages. Regular screening, knowing the facts about colorectal cancer, and properly moving forward with treatment increases the hope of a longer healthier life.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must live in Texas
- Adults ages 45-75
- Everyone is eligible; you can be uninsured, underinsured, or insured
- A patient has never had a colorectal cancer screening (Guaiac FOBT test, F.I.T. test, or Cologuard FIT-DNA test)
- A patient is one year or more behind on a colorectal cancer screening
- A patient is behind on a colonoscopy
- A patient has a first-degree relative, like a parent or sibling, that has or had colorectal cancer, and the patient is 10 years younger than the family member at diagnosis
Please fill out the eligibility form below and if you qualify, we will send you a FREE screening kit with instructions. Otherwise, we will contact you to discuss.
Formulario de Elegibilidad en Espanol
Screening Saves Lives
Get F.I.T to Stay Fit is providing education and clinical services to the Texas Panhandle to reduce the number of colorectal cancer deaths and ultimately improving quality of life by catching the illness in its early stages.
To date, Get F.I.T. to Stay Fit has reached more than 2.7 million people in the Texas Panhandle!
- More than 20,000 health care professionals educated
- More than 20,000 people have been reached through face-to-face
- More than 9400 FIT screenings have been completed
- More than 700 colonoscopies have been completed
- More than 480 pre-cancerous lesions have been removed
Survivor Stories
How Do I Get Started?
- Call 806.414.9175 to schedule an appointment.
- Complete the eligibility form below.
- Home test is taken, then mailed to clinic.
- We will contact you with results.
F.I.T. Kit Demonstrations
Meet the Team
Dr. Izi Obokhare - Principal Investigator
Izi Obokhare is a Professor in the Division of Minimally Invasive Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Amarillo (TTUHSC). He is certified by the American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the International College of Surgeons. He brings significant expertise and experience in providing minimally invasive surgical care and provides general and acute care along with colorectal care using advanced laparoscopic techniques and the Da Vinci robotic platform.
Dr. Obokhare obtained his medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine in Washington D.C. and did his General Surgery Residency at Case University Hospitals of Cleveland in Cleveland, Ohio. He did his Research Fellowship for Colorectal Surgery at the Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans, Louisiana where he obtained additional training in the diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant diseases of the colon, rectum and anus.
He has a special interest in state-of-the-art minimally invasive techniques and approaches to anorectal tumors such as robotic surgery, trans-anal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS), laparoscopic colectomy for colon cancer, familial colon cancer syndromes, diverticulitis, colonic inertia and ulcerative colitis.
Having a vibrant practice in general surgery with a solid interest in colon and rectal surgery, more than 70% of his practice involves patients with colon and rectal disorders specifically neoplastic disease. He has a strong focus on screening and prevention of colon and rectal cancer in the Texas Panhandle as evidenced by his involvement in community outreach and education targeting the underserved population.
Email: izi.obokhare@ttuhsc.edu
Christine Andrews - Project Manager
Christine Andrews is the Project Manager for the Get GIT to Stay Fit Colorectal Cancer
screening program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at Amarillo (TTUHSC).
She works to coordinate patient care and navigation for rural areas of the Texas Panhandle,
as well as ensuring that both patients and health care professionals are educated
about the importance of colorectal cancer screening.
Christine has worked in project management in higher education institutions for over 20 years. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration. In her spare time, Christine enjoys cooking and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Email: christine.andrews@ttuhsc.edu
Events
Get F.I.T to Stay Fit brings vital colorectal cancer screening resources to local events, making preventive care accessible to everyone. Do you have an event that you'd like our team to share information? Please contact us at 806.414.9175.
Support Provided By:
Service Location
Texas Tech Physicians of Amarillo
Amarillo, TX 79106
Phone: 806.414.9558
