"Keep Your Rear In The Clear" Coming to Metro Detroit

By Carissa Hutchinson
@cnhutch1991

A giant inflatable walk-through colon that's 20-feet long and 12-feet high will come to the Michigan Science Center this March 28-29. The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and Bayer HeathCare Pharmaceuticals with several other organizations help to bring this giant colon to Metro Detroit. As part of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month these organizations are promoting colorectal health in a fun and educational way.

Did you know that colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women in the United States? It's also the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. But if caught early enough colon cancer can be prevented. Throughout this two-day event nutrition and colon cancer experts will be available to answer any questions that you may have about colon health. These experts will also be able to share educational materials related to healthy eating habits, the importance of exercise, knowing your family health history, the risk of colorectal cancer, when to get screened for colon cancer, and more.

From noon to 1 p.m. there will be a special "Ask the Doctor" hour featuring Hamchandra Mahaseth, M.D., colon cancer expert from the Karmanos Cancer Institute and Wayne State University, who will answer questions related to colorectal health. This year alone the American Cancer Society estimates that more than 126,800 new cases of colorectal cancers will be diagnosed. So be sure to get your rear in gear and get to the Michigan Science Center to become more aware about colon health.

Carissa Hutchinson is a senior at Ferris State University studying television and digital media production. She's currently on two internships with CBS 62/CW50 Detroit and M-1 Studios in Ferndale. While attending college she was a very active member of Delta Zeta and the Media Communications Association. Take a look at Carissa's work at carissanhutchinson.wordpress.com.