Take a walk through your colon at John Hunter Hospital
Visitors to John Hunter Hospital next week will be met with the sight of a giant 3.5 metre colon which will serve as a reminder of the importance of early detection of bowel cancer.
Nurse Unit Manager of Ward G1 (the colorectal and surgical ward) Jonine Sinclair said the inflatable colon is big enough for people to walk through and learn about the inner workings of the bowel.
“Unfortunately in the colorectal and surgical ward we see many patients who have bowel cancer and the devastating impact this has on the patient and their family,” Ms Sinclair said.
“This is why we are so passionate about educating the community about the importance of detecting bowel cancer early. If bowel cancer is caught in time 90 per cent of cases can be treated successfully.”
One in 12 Australians will be diagnosed with bowel cancer by the time they are 85 and it can affect men and women of all ages.
“The symptoms of bowel cancel may include bleeding from the rectum or any sign of blood after a bowel motion, a recent and persistent change in bowel habit, for example looser bowel motions, severe constipation and/or needing to go to the toilet more than usual, unexplained tiredness and abdominal pain,” Ms Sinclair said.
“However, in the early stages of bowel cancer there are few of these early warning signs meaning that bowel cancer goes often undetected.
“That’s why we encourage all people aged 50 and over, or earlier if you have symptoms or a family history of bowel cancer, to undertake a bowel cancer screening test called a foecal occult blood test to detect cancer in its early stages.”
Details on how to purchase a screening kit and whether you are eligible for free testing is available at www.bowelcanceraustralia.org
Ms Sinclair said the nurses of Ward G1 were looking forward to sharing their knowledge and experience will visitors to John Hunter Hospital and encouraged people to stop by and see the giant colon.
“The colon is an interactive educational experience which will provide useful information about bowel disease and will hopefully get people thinking about early detection and prevention and detection of bowel cancer,” Ms Sinclair said.
“If you are coming to the hospital next week please stop by and take a unique journey through the colon and learn what you can do to avoid bowel cancer.”
The SuperColon will be on site in the Royal Newcastle Centre from Monday 5 July until Friday 9 July from 8am – 5pm each day.
Contact: Sharna McCarthy
Phone: 4921 4501