Before visiting his grandmother at Mary Washington Hospital, 2-year-old Garrett Brooks runs through the Colossal Colon in the hospital atrium. The oversized model offers people a chance to explore a topic that makes many uncomfortable. Photos by REZA MARVASHTI/THE FREE LANCE-STAR

Dr. Charles Maurer speaks to Licensed Practical Nursing students from Career Training Solutions about the benefits of a healthy diet and lifestyle as they relate to colon health. Photos by REZA MARVASHTI/THE FREE LANCE-STAR

In an effort to raise awareness of colon cancer and disease the 40-foot-long, 4-foot-wide replica of the human colon travels the country educating people who choose to crawl through it. Photos by REZA MARVASHTI/THE FREE LANCE-STAR

'CoCo' comes complete with giant-sized polyps and information tags identifying colorectal diseases such as diverticulitis and cancer. Photos by REZA MARVASHTI/THE FREE LANCE-STAR

Giant colon promotes cancer awareness.

Date published: 3/8/2006

By KATIE TELLER

People will be able to crawl through a 40-foot-long, 4-foot-tall colon at Mary Washington Hospital this week.

The "Colossal Colon," affectionately nicknamed "CoCo," is part of a display to raise awareness of colorectal cancers and encourage people to be screened.

After lung cancer, colon cancer is the most deadly cancer. But if caught early, it's one of the most treatable types of cancer.

"It gets everyone talking about colorectal cancer, which is the first step in eliminating colorectal cancer," said Irene Summers, director of the Endoscopy Center at Mary Washington Hospital, which is sponsoring the display and guest speakers in an annual awareness event. "We're talking about our colon, rectum and anus. You gotta get past that."

One of the morning's visitors said he realized the importance of early detection of cancer.

"Some people don't like getting checked, and they don't think it's important enough," said Tim Carpenter, an EMT who works for Spotsylvania County and the hospital. Carpenter cruised the colon while he was checking his work schedule at the hospital.

Carpenter said the colon was a good idea for visual learners.

Inside 'CoCo' are displays about various diseases that affect the colon, such as diverticulitis, Crohn's disease, polyps and cancer.

The giant intestine is a project of the Colon Club, which was founded in 2003 by Molly McMaster, a colon cancer survivor who was diagnosed on her 23rd birthday.

McMaster has appeared on the "Today" show twice, where the Colossal Colon made its debut. (Host Katie Couric's husband died of colon cancer.)

Since then, it's been traveling around the country.

Fredericksburg-area colon cancer survivors came out to see the Colossal Colon at the hospital yesterday.

Jerry Lewis, a Stafford County resident, was with his wife and grandchildren, and said he knew about the importance of being screened. Like many who are diagnosed, Lewis had no symptoms.

"It's important for everybody to have it done," he said.

Another survivor, Debbie Spencer, said she tells her friends and family to get screened.

And she said a colonoscopy really isn't that bad. The procedure normally involves anesthesia.

"The worst part is drinking the prep beforehand," said Spencer, a Fredericksburg resident. "It's like drinking ocean water, but it could save your life."

Date published: 3/8/2006