'Giant Colon' On Tour Across Metro Detroit
DETROIT (WWJ) - Metro Detroiters are getting a larger than life lesson in how to prevent America's second leading cancer killer.
A 32-foot-long by 14-feet-high giant inflatable colon on display today at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit on Monday to help illustrate the benefits of early detection.
It's part of a joint effort hosted by the hospital and the American Cancer Society as part of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
Henry Ford Division Head of Colorectal surgery, Dr. Craig Reikert says colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in the U.S. for both men and women. Currently, only one in three adults receive their recommended colorectal screening tests.
"The great thing is that we can actually test for and prevent it," Reikert said. "We can reduce the risk of colon cancer by checking for the polyps and taking them out before they can turn into cancer, which means we have a dramatic intervention and we can improve the health of Americans, and particularly people on Michigan."
For most of us, regular colorectal cancer screening should start at age 50, but Reikert recommends talking to your doctor about your risk.
The Giant Colon comes down at 2 p.m. Monday, but it'll be popping up at several other venues across Metro Detroit this month:
- Thursday, March 13 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Walk-through giant colon display at St. Joseph Mercy Health System in Ann Arbor
- Monday, March 24 from 5 – 6:30 p.m. – Walk-through giant colon display at St. Joseph Mercy Port Huron
- Tuesday, March 25 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. – Guts & Butts Roundtable featuring Colorectal Cancer doctors from Henry Ford Macomb and a colorectal cancer survivor and RN from St. John Macomb at Macomb Intermediate School District in Clinton Township
- Thursday, March 27 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Walk-through giant colon display at Providence Hospital in Southfield
- Friday, March 28 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Saturday, March 29 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Giant colon display at the Michigan Science Center in Detroit
All events are free and open to the public.
