William Beaumont Army Medical Center's Health Promotion and Wellness Program invited Soldiers and beneficiaries to take a walk through a giant inflatable colon during the Colorectal Cancer Awareness Health Fair at the Hugo V. Mendoza Soldier Family Care Center, Fort Bliss, Texas, March 30.
The fair featured information and activities by the American Cancer Society, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center's Against Colorectal Cancer In Our Neighborhoods (ACCION) program and WBAMC's Nutrition Care Division.
"We're trying to get out information for individuals as far as what (colorectal) cancer is all about, when to get screened, and preventative measure," said Bruce Gramlich, HPWP manager, WBAMC. "It's all about preventative measures you can take to prevent (colorectal) cancer from happening."
Colorectal cancer is the abnormal growth of cancer cells that are located in the large intestine. According to the American Cancer Society, in Texas alone there will be an estimated 9,680 new cases of Colorectal Cancer and 3,520 deaths in 2016.
"It's not a very great topic to talk about," said Martha Silva, health systems manager, American Cancer Society. "(Beneficiaries) still need to know the screening guidelines and what they need to do to get their colonoscopy."
The Health Promotions and Wellness Program recommend regular screening for men and women starting at 50 years old continuing into their 70s. Other preventative measures include regular exercise, healthy eating habits and awareness of sudden changes such as weight, abdominal discomfort and stools.
The exhibit presented beneficiaries with an opportunity to experience a first-person view of healthy tissue found inside the colon and learn how issues like polyps and cancer may develop. The colon was presented by the Partnership for the Advancement of Cancer Research, New Mexico State University.
In the United States, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths for men and women causing more deaths than all U.S. vehicle accidents each year.
"We want to inform all Soldiers and community members to get screened," said Silva. "We want to celebrate a world with less cancer and more birthdays."
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