HAAD exhibits 11 meters inflatable colon at various malls

The events marked the international month of colorectal cancer awareness which falls in March and is the last type of cancer covered in the 'Live Healthy & Simply Check' campaign launched by HAAD back in October 2012 and which carries on with various activities until April 2013.

Colorectal Cancer is the second most common type of cancer in Abu Dhabi accounting for 8% of all cancers.

In males, it is the most common cancer accounting for 11% of all cancer types and fourth in females being 6%.

The detected cases in men accounted for 60% of the overall cases and 40% in women. Although it may strike at any age, it is worth mentioning that 85% of all cases are 40 years of age and above.

The inflatable colon, is an exceptional educational toot, it is a replica of the human colon whereby, visitors had the opportunity to physically take a walk inside the u-shaped inflatable colon that exhibited the inner lining of a human colon. The inflatable colon that visited three malls showcased the various stages of the disease and thus helped in spreading awareness on colorectal cancer amongst the community.

To complement the initiative, expert doctors were readily available at each location to answer questions on colorectal cancer and to educate the community on the disease which is curable, should it be detected at an early stage. The doctors stressed on the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle and conducting regular screening and advised the public especially those aged between 40 and 75 to either undergo a colonoscopy once every 10 years or to undergo a simple new test that detect blood in the stool; called immunochemical test (FIT) once in every two years.

"Colorectal cancer is a slow type of cancer that develops from a growth of tissue in the inner lining of the colon or rectum called a polyp. Most polyps are benign (not cancerous), however some polyps can change slowly over a period of 10 to 15 years to become cancer. However, before this happens there are preventative measures that may be adopted simply by undergoing regular screening. Polyps can be detected and removed through screening, therefore, the disease is simply prevented," said Dr. Khalid Al Jabri, Manager of Non-Communicable Diseases Department at HAAD.

Al Jabri added, "We urge the community in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to join forces with us in order to reduce deaths caused by colorectal cancer. In the next 5 years we aspire to reduce colorectal cancer deaths by 15 % in order to decrease the burden of the disease amongst the population that is considered today the second most common type of cancer in Abu Dhabi."

Entities that generously supported the events and assisted HAAD in its endeavour to spread awareness on colorectal cancer included, Al Mafraq Hospital, Al Rahba Hospital and Roche that made the Delma Mall event a great success, Abu Dhabi Police and Roche that took charge for the remarkable Marina Mall event and finally Al Noor Hospital who are bronze sponsors of the 'Live Healthy & Simply Check' campaign as well as Roche that made the Al Ain mall event, a memorable one.

Finally, The Advanced Care Center for Day Care Surgery will be supporting an upcoming event at Bawabat Al Sharq Mall on the 21st of March 2013 where an educational booth on Colorectal Cancer will be available to create further awareness on the disease.