SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – Regional West Health Services is bringing an incredible, inflatable, interactive replica of a human colon – big enough to walk through – to town to educate people about the risks, symptoms, prevention, early detection, and treatment options for colorectal cancer.

The 20-foot long, 8-foot high Prevent Cancer Super Colon™ will be on display at Monument Mall, March 2 and 3.

Visitors can walk through, at no charge, to get a close-up look at healthy colon tissue, tissue with non-malignant colorectal diseases, and tissue with various stages of colorectal cancer. Several local physicians will be on hand to talk to visitors and give tours through the inflatable colon.

“Colorectal cancer is 90 percent preventable and 90 percent treatable if detected early, yet it’s the second leading cancer killer in the U.S.,” said Jeff Kriewald, director of The Cancer Treatment Center at Regional West. “We hope that this exhibit will encourage area residents to talk to their health care providers about colorectal cancer screening.”

The exhibit will be open from noon to 5 p.m., Friday, March 2, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, March 3. The event will also include educational displays and booths sponsored by health organizations, hospital departments, and physicians’ offices.

The Prevent Cancer Super Colon™ exhibit is sponsored by Regional West Medical Center, Regional West Foundation, and the Festival of Hope in recognition of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

About The Prevent Cancer Foundation
Founded in 1985, the Prevent Cancer Foundation is one of the nation’s leading health organizations that has catapulted cancer prevention to prominence. The Foundation seeks to Stop Cancer Before It Starts! Since its inception, the Foundation has provided more than $125 million in support of cancer prevention and early detection research, education, advocacy and community outreach nationwide. For more information, please visit www.preventcancer.org.

Regional West Health Services, with over 1,800 employees, provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people and communities of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming. With over 110 active physicians, 95 percent of whom are board certified or board eligible, plus an additional 25 consulting specialists, Regional West offers care that spans more than 30 medical specialties. Regional West Medical Center, a subsidiary of Regional West Health Services, is accredited by The Joint Commission and is one of three Level II Trauma Centers in Nebraska.