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Huge Colon Comes With Big Message

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By KEITH MORELLI

kmorelli@tampatrib.com

Published: February 19, 2009

TAMPA - The H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute displayed a gigantic colon Wednesday 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 provided a chance for people to take a walk into the dark side of the human body.

The traveling exhibit educates people on colorectal cancer screening, prevention and treatment. A walk-through tour illustrates healthy tissue, tissue with nonmalignant colorectal diseases, colorectal polyps and tissue with various stages of cancer.

Visitors also viewed a colonoscopy using a colon simulator and a colon-screening video. Nurses and dietitians answered questions about cancer prevention and treatment.

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.

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