The Colorectal Cancer Alliance and Bayer are teaming up again for the Big Colon Tour, which brings a mega-sized inflatable colon to Undy RunWalks and other events around the country, in an effort to start conversations about colorectal cancer.
Visitors to the inflatable colon find human-sized polyps—cellular growths that can turn into cancer—Crohn’s disease, and malignant masses, along with written information. Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cancer killer in the United States.
“The big colon starts conversations about colorectal cancer that otherwise may never happen,” said Nancy Butterfield, Director of Patient and Family Support at the Alliance. “Getting people to ask themselves and their families how this disease could impact them is the No. 1 reason we’re out there. This is a gateway to saving lives.”
About 140,000 will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year, the American Cancer Society predicts, and an increasing number of those cases, about 11%, will be in people younger than 50. Scientists aren’t sure why more young people are getting cancer, but the Alliance is funding research to find out.
Doctors recommend screening for colorectal cancer begin at 50 for average-risk people (45 for African Americans). Symptoms of colorectal cancer, which should be brought to the attention of a doctor immediately, include a change in bowel habits, persistent abdominal discomfort, rectal bleeding, and weakness or fatigue.
"It's critical to raise awareness of risk factors of colorectal cancer as well as signs of disease progression. We're proud to support the efforts of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance," said Joseph Germino, MD., Bayer's vice president of Medical Affairs, Oncology.
Colorectal cancer is unique in that it is largely preventable with appropriate screening. Increased public awareness of this disease will encourage early detection and timely treatment, educate patients of proper treatment options, and up turn funding for research nationwide.
Upcoming stops on the Big Colon Tour, formally called the National Colorectal Cancer Education Tour, with Bayer include:
7th Annual Team Britton Golf Tournament
Knoxville, TN
June 17
University of Rochester 5K
Geneseo, NY
June 19
Digestive Disease Week Conference
Washington, DC
June 1
Cancer Survivor’s Day at CMHS Health
Ventura, CA
June 1
Chicago, IL
June 2
Grown Up Games Field Day Event
Round Rock, TX
June 9
Portland, OR
June 16
Denver, CO
June 23
2018 Jersey Shore Undy RunWalk
Long Branch, NJ
July 14
Dana Farber Jimmy Fund 5K and Fun Run
West Roxbury, MA
July 22
2018 Nashville Undy RunWalk
Nashville, TN
August 18
2018 Philadelphia Undy RunWalk
Philadelphia, PA
September 8
2018 Pittsburgh Undy RunWalk
Pittsburgh, PA
September 16
Detroit, MI
September 22
Roosevelt Island, NY
September 22
Cleveland, OH
September 29
2018 Cincinnati Undy RunWalk
Cincinnati, OH
October 6
2018 DFW Undy RunWalk
Arlington, TX
October 10
Winship Win the Fight 5K Run/Walk at Emory University
Atlanta, GA
October 14
2018 Atlanta Undy RunWalk
Atlanta, GA
October 27
2018 Phoenix Undy RunWalk
November 17
The Ruesch Center 9th Annual Symposium
Washington, DC
November 30
Miles for Moffitt at the University of South Florida
Tampa, FL
December 8