A large, inflatable model of the inside of a human colon will be on display at the upcoming Prevent Cancer Foundation Super Colon event at the Nashville Farmers Market. (photo by Janet Hudson)
Explorable colon model helps raise awareness of cancer risk
Anyone who has ever wondered what doctors see when they look inside the human body can get a close-up view of a model of the colon during the Prevent Cancer Foundation Super Colon event in Nashville.
An inflatable, interactive model of the interior of a human colon will be on display Saturday, March 26, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Nashville Farmers Market.
The super-sized Prevent Cancer Super Colon looks like a caterpillar-shaped balloon and is large enough for a family to walk through.
The exhibit provides views of a healthy colon, tissue with non-malignant colorectal diseases, and tissue during various stages of colorectal cancer.
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC), as a member of the Tennessee Cancer Coalition, is a sponsor for the free educational event being held during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. However, it is largely preventable if caught early through screening tests.
Risk factors for colorectal cancer include a high-fat diet, obesity, lack of exercise and a family history of the disease.
In addition to the walk-through Super Colon, there will be jugglers and volunteers in Elvis-themed attire on hand for the event. Why Elvis?
“Anyone who is old enough to remember the King of Rock and Roll performing in a white jumpsuit is the right age to start getting screened for colon cancer,” explained Sheila Bates, community outreach manager in VICC's Office of Patient and Community Education.
Several Vanderbilt colon cancer experts will be at the Nashville Farmers Market to answer questions about the disease, and dietetic interns will be providing information on diet and exercise.
The Prevent Cancer Super Colon is provided by the Prevent Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to cancer prevention and early detection.
For more information, contact pam.isom@tn.gov.