Birds, bees and colonoscopies: Huntsville Hospital promotes colon care

HUNTSVILLE – Huntsville Hospital Health System started a campaign for March, which is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and there’s a mascot to help push the message.

Colleen the Rolllin’ Colon, an oversized inflatable “human colon” that serves as an educational exhibit on the signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer and other diseases of the colon.

Colleen will be on hand for HH Health’s HealthWorks “Birds, Bees and Colonoscopies’’ awareness event today from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Plaza Resource Center Patio at the HH Campus, 101 Governors Drive.

Billed as a fun and enlightening multimedia experience, the event will provide important health information helping to encourage colorectal cancer prevention and screening across the country. As visitors take a walk through Colleen’s 3D interior, they will view everything on a large scale, including giant polyps, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and the different stages of colorectal cancer.

“Colon cancer screening saves lives,” said Heather Whorton, Director of HealthWorks and Corporate Wellness. “Early detection through screening can prevent this disease from becoming deadly. If you’re on the fence about colon cancer screening or just want to learn more about this condition affecting 7 in 10 American adults ages 45-75, come out to get the latest guidance so you can make informed health decisions moving forward.”