Alegent Press Release - Giant, Walk-Through Colon Raises Cancer Awareness

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Giant, Walk-Through Colon Raises Cancer Awareness

Release Date: 04/12/2006

Super Colon to Visit Alegent Health Immanuel Medical Center as part of National Cancer Control Month

Omaha, Neb. -An eight-foot tall, 20-foot long replica of a human colon will stand tall in the lobby of Alegent Health Immanuel Medical Center for the public to walk through on April 20th, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The purpose of the Super Colon is to educate and raise awareness of the importance of colorectal cancer screening.

'Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the US, yet it's very preventable, treatable and beatable, if detected in the early stages,' said Dr. James Commers, an Oncology specialist for Alegent Health. 'The Super Colon is a unique approach to getting this important message out and encouraging people, especially those more than 50 years old, to talk to their doctor and get screened.'

The Super Colon is making a special stop in Omaha as part of National Cancer Control Month. The Super Colon is an incredible, inflatable, interactive tool that teaches people about the risks, symptoms, prevention, early detection and treatment options for colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer is 90 percent preventable and successfully treated 90 percent of the time when detected early, yet it continues to be the second leading cancer killer for men and women combined. This year, the American Cancer Society estimates colorectal cancer will claim the lives of more than 56,000 people in the United States. Here in Nebraska, nearly 1,020 adults will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and of that number, an estimated 380 people will die from the disease.

'Even one life lost from colon cancer is too many,' said Dr. Commers. 'That's why we're partnering with the Super Colon to spread the word throughout the community that early detection is critical in the fight against colon cancer.'

The Super Colon is brought to you by the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation and sponsored locally by the Immanuel Charitable Foundation.