Event features ‘Nolan the Colon,’ clinicians, and information to encourage screening for nation’s second leading cause of death from cancer
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Providence Cancer Center is hosting an event to help raise awareness about colorectal cancer 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, in the Providence Health Park Healing Arts Alcove, as part of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
One of the highlights of the event will be “Nolan the Colon,” a walk-through inflatable replica of a human colon that illustrates the development of colorectal cancer. Nolan includes interactive displays of polyps and other colon-cancer warning signs. The Nolan display is courtesy of the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Cancer Outreach and Education Program.
This is part of a collaboration between Providence Alaska and Boston Scientific to increase awareness of the symptoms and risk factors of colorectal cancer, and ultimately encourage more people to get screened. Colorectal cancer is the nation’s second leading cause of death from cancer but — according to the American Cancer Society — regular screening can prevent colorectal cancer. Because polyps can take 10-to-15 years to develop into cancer, with screening doctors can remove polyps before they can turn into cancer.
Douglas Haghighi, M.D., a gastroenterologist with Internal Medicine Associations in Anchorage, will be on hand noon-1 p.m. to discuss colorectal cancer and answer questions about symptoms, risks, screening and treatment.
Although the event is scheduled for Tuesday, the Nolan the Colon display will be available for viewing through 4 p.m. Thursday, March 28. Caregivers from the endoscopy team at Providence Alaska Medical Center will be available to discuss the screening process and distribute handouts about colorectal cancer.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that adults aged 45-to-75 be screened for colorectal cancer, and before age 45 if you have a family history of colorectal cancer or an Inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
Event Details
- Who: Providence Cancer Center
- What: Colorectal Cancer Awareness event
- When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Tuesday, March 26 (but available through March 28)
- Where: Providence Health Park, Healing Arts Alcove, 3851 Piper St., Anchorage
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Note: Members of the media who are interested in covering the event should call the Providence Alaska 24-hour Media Line at 907-212-6083. Interviews will be available.
About Providence Alaska Medical Center
Providence Alaska Medical Center, a nationally recognized trauma center and Alaska’s only Magnet hospital, is part of Providence St. Joseph Health, a not-for-profit network of hospitals, care centers, health plans, physicians, clinics, home health services, affiliated services and educational facilities. For more information, visit providence.org/locations/ak/alaska-medical-center.
About Boston Scientific
Boston Scientific transforms lives through innovative medical technologies that improve the health of patients around the world. As a global medical technology leader for more than 40 years, we advance science for life by providing a broad range of high-performance solutions that address unmet patient needs and reduce the cost of health care. Our portfolio of devices and therapies helps physicians diagnose and treat complex cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, oncological, neurological and urological diseases and conditions. Learn more at www.bostonscientific.com and connect on LinkedIn and X, formerly Twitter.
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