In The Fight Against Colon Cancer—

The Colossal Colon That Demands Attention

By Kaaren Valenta

Two hours after Frank Musser had a colonoscopy last Friday, he was standing in front of a 40-foot- long, four-foot-high replica of a human colon in the center court of the Danbury Fair Mall, telling everyone how simple and painless the procedure was.

“It was the first colonoscopy I have ever had,” the 63-year-old New Milford resident said. “I had the procedure done because my doctor recommended it during my physical exam. For me it was like 15 minutes in and out of there.”

Mr Musser was invited to tell about his experience by Dr Joseph Fiorito, chief of gastroenterology at Danbury Hospital, at the Colorectal Health Expo held at the mall on June 25–27. The expo featured Coco the Colossal Colon, an oversized, pink plastic model of a human colon that was big enough for visitors to crawl through and view displays about intestinal health.

“Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States,” said Dr Fiorito, noting that nearly 57,000 die each year from the disease. Colorectal cancer rates in Fairfield County are among the highest in the country, although the disease is largely preventable, he said.

“We have an innocuous test that can be used so that no one should have to die from colon cancer. Colonoscopy is the best way to screen for colon cancer,” he said.

Dr Fiorito said that because of the affluence in Fairfield County, residents tend to eat a diet higher in fat, one of the highest risk factors for the disease. Genetics also adds to one’s risk and people with a first-degree relative who had colon cancer should be especially vigilant about screening for the disease.

Colon cancer is 90 percent treatable if caught early enough, and one of the only forms of cancer that can be removed before it even becomes cancer, just by removing a polyp (a grapelike growth on the inside of the colon).  Since the most common symptom of colon cancer is no symptom at all, everyone needs to get a colonoscopy, Dr Fiorito said.

Sarah Shafir, vice president for cancer control at the local chapter of the American Cancer Society, said everyone should have a regular colonoscopy beginning at age 50. She also recommended exercise and a high-fiber diet with lots of vegetables and whole grains as a way of reducing the risk of colon cancer.

Colonoscopy is a procedure during which a physician examines the inner lining of the colon for abnormalities including cancer and polyps. It involves the insertion of a thin flexible tube with a viewing scope through the rectum and the length of the colon. Patients have a mild sedative to prevent discomfort. When the colon has been properly cleansed following the preparation instructions, the entire colon can be examined more than 95 percent of the time.

“Since it generally takes ten years for a polyp to become cancerous, doctors have a ten-year window to find it and get it out,” Dr Fiorito said.

The Colossal Colon was built by Adirondak Scenic, Inc, a company that builds sets for Broadway and for Universal Studios. Visitors who crawl through the Colossal Colon see examples of many colon diseases, including Chrohn’s disease, diverticulosis, ulcerative colitis, hemorrhoids, cancerous and noncancerous polyps, and various stages of colon cancer. Actual colonoscopy footage was used to ensure that the Colossal Colon was as realistic as possible.

The Colossal Colon was the creation of Molly McMaster, a colon cancer survivor who was diagnosed on her 23rd birthday on February 19, 1999. When she was diagnosed with stage two colon cancer, she was stunned.

“How could this have happened to me?” she asked. “I wasn’t at risk. It didn’t run in my family. I was a healthy, 23-year-old female who worked out regularly, only had an occasional drink, didn’t smoke or do drugs, and there I was with cancer.

“Since my diagnosis, I have met many more like me, young and misdiagnosed with colon cancer.  I’ve made it my life to raise awareness by doing ‘crazy things’ to draw attention to the disease.  During the summer of 2000, I inline skated two thousand miles from New York to Colorado, in a trip called Rolling to Recovery, and my latest stunt has been the Colossal Colon,” she said.

While she was skating across the country, she started an email friendship with a young woman named Amanda Sherwood Roberts, who was diagnosed with colon cancer when she was 24. “Amanda was the first other person I knew who had colorectal cancer at such a young age,” Ms McMaster said. “She was very sick and told me that she was jealous of my doing ‘crazy things’ to educate about colorectal cancer while she just lay on the couch dying. I promised her that I would continue for both of us.”

The following week, the two young women appeared on the Today show to prove to millions of viewers that anyone can get colorectal cancer. “[Host] Katie Couric told me that if I came up with another wacky idea, she would have me back on the show,” Ms McMaster said.

When Amanda died on January 1, 2002, Molly McMaster knew she had to keep her promise. The Colossal Colon made its debut on the Today show in March 2002.

“It is dedicated to Amanda because of her commitment to educating others about colorectal cancer and her positive attitude toward life,” Ms McMaster said.

Staff from Danbury Hospital’s endoscopy unit, Praxair Cancer Center, the Danbury Office of Physician Services, section of gastroenterology, Ann’s Place, the Home of I can, and the American Cancer Society participated in the three-day exhibit at the mall. 

“When I came to Danbury Hospital 10 years ago, one of my major goals was to mount a campaign against colon cancer,” Dr Fiorito said. “The hospital built a state-of-the-art endoscopy center designed to be patient friendly. Each patient has a private room for the procedure. “

Patients can be asleep during the procedure, but most prefer to be very lightly sedated so they can see what is happening and talk to the doctor. “This is not a horrible procedure,” Dr Fiorito said.

For more information about Molly McMaster, colon cancer, and the Colossal Colon, visit the website www.colossalcolon.com. For more about colonoscopies and colorectal cancer, visit the Danbury Hospital website www.danburyhospital.org.