Local exhibit sheds light on colorectal cancer

Come walk through a huge inflatable replica of a human colon Tuesday and Wednesday to learn about the risks, symptoms, prevention, early detection and treatment options for colorectal cancer.

The inflatable and interactive, 20-foot-long and 10-foot-high colon replica is at the Spokane Valley Mall, 14700 E. Indiana Ave.,Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It travels to NorthTown Mall, 4750 N. Division St., on Wednesday and is on display 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The exhibit is part of the National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. United Healthcare and Spokane Regional Health District are partnering with Colon STARS to present the exhibit and educate people that the best way to prevent colorectal cancer is to get tested starting at age 50.

“Colorectal cancer is 90 percent preventable and 90 percent treatable if detected early, yet it’s the second-leading cancer killer in the United States,” wrote Anita Mitchell, Colon STARS founder, in a press release.