You can’t miss a giant inflatable colon in the middle of a hospital lobby—which is why it was the centerpiece of our Colorectal Cancer Awareness events at TUH-Main Campus and Fox Chase Cancer Center.
It was a great way to get patients’ and staff members’ attention, and to encourage them to focus on something they might not want to think about otherwise: their colon cancer risk. And because March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, there’s never been a better time to prioritize your colorectal health.
Here at Temple, we’re committed to making it as easy as possible for our patients, staff, and community members to learn about and prevent colorectal cancer. That’s why our GI Department handed out free Fecal Immunochemical Testing (FIT) kits—a quick, easy, and innovative way for Americans with an average risk of colon cancer to screen themselves at home—to attendees.
FIT kits are much more accessible than colonoscopies, and yearly FIT is proven to reduce colorectal cancer risks on par with once-a-decade colonoscopy. Better access means earlier diagnosis and treatment and improved outcomes—and if a patient tests positive for a possible colorectal malignancy, our teams schedule an open access colonoscopy and follow-up care immediately.
In addition to receiving FIT kits, attendees could also walk through the giant inflatable colon, which functioned as a teaching aid. Each part of the colon was labeled, and there were sections of normal tissue, as well as abnormal growths that could progress into cancer if left untreated. It was an up-close, and larger-than-life, look at one of our most critical organs—and a compelling argument for the importance of screening.
After attendees had completed their tour, they could also receive further education from one of our team members (who also guided participants through the colon), and enjoy toys, wristbands, and stickers. Several news outlets, including 6ABC and NBC10, also covered the TUH-Main Campus event on March 19th. Check out photos from that day, and don’t forget about the importance of your colorectal health even after March is over!
