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Huge Colon Comes With Big Message About Cancer

Tribune photo by JIM REED

Moffitt Cancer Center will display a gigantic colon today to show people the inner workings of the organ and explain why cancer cells are drawn to it.

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By KEITH MORELLI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 18, 2009

TAMPA - The H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute will display a gigantic colon today to show people the inner workings of the organ and explain why cancer cells are drawn to it.

The 8-foot-tall, 20-foot-long, 450-pound replica of a human colon is a chance for interested people to take a walk into the dark side of the human body.

The free event takes place from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the center's Stabile Research Building, 12902 Magnolia Drive.

Moffitt officials say an estimated 148,000 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2008, and nearly 50,000 died of the disease. Colorectal cancer can be prevented when detected early. The five-year survival rate is 90 percent.

The traveling exhibit is a chance for people to learn about colorectal cancer screening, prevention and treatment. A walk-through shows healthy tissue, tissue with nonmalignant colorectal diseases, colorectal polyps and tissue with various stages of cancer.

People can also view a colonoscopy using a colon simulator and a colon-screening video. Nurses and dietitians will also answer questions about cancer prevention and treatment.

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