Wednesday, March 02, 2016
What’s 12 feet high, 20 feet wide and 32 feet long? Giant colon travels to Dearborn, Royal Oak and Troy
Because March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Beaumont Health is stepping up its community awareness efforts. To kick off the month, community members are invited to see a large, inflatable human colon on display at Beaumont hospitals in Dearborn, Royal Oak and Troy. Beaumont Hospital, Troy will host the inflatable display from March 7-8 in the first floor Atrium;Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak from March 10-11 inside the entrance of the South Tower; and Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn from March 14-15 in the Fitzgerald Pavilion.
Explained Harry Wasvary, M.D., medical director, Colorectal Multidisciplinary Tumor Clinic, Beaumont, Royal Oak, “The giant colon is unique. It grabs your attention. How often can people walk through a 32 foot long and 20 foot wide, inflatable colon complete with polyps? These are small growths or tumors within the colon that can enlarge and develop into colon cancers.”
According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is one of only two cancers that can be prevented through screening. Colorectal cancer is cancer of the colon or rectum.
Added Dr. Wasvary also section head, Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery, “This is the fourth consecutive year we’ve used an inflatable colon display to draw attention to colorectal cancer awareness. We hope this display not only educates, but encourages those over 50 years of age to be screened regularly for colorectal cancer.”
Among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate more than 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer every year. More than 50,000 of them die.
Rana Sabbagh, M.D., gastroenterologist at Beaumont, Dearborn, said, “If you are 50 or older, or have a family history of colon cancer, now is the time to talk to your family physician about a colonoscopy. This test saves lives.”
Colonoscopy is a common, diagnostic procedure that allows physicians to examine the entire length of the large intestine or colon. It can assist in identifying problems within the colon, such as early signs of colorectal cancer, inflamed tissue, ulcers and bleeding. An endoscope – a long, flexible, lighted tube, also called a colonoscope is used during the procedure. The scope can take tissue samples and remove abnormal growths known as polyps.
Alarmingly, colorectal cancer is often asymptomatic, meaning individuals experience no noticeable symptoms.
More information on colorectal cancer and screenings can be found at http://www.beaumont.org/colorectal/.