Česky
23.4.2010
A giant inflatable mock-up of a colon is starring in a nationwide campaign targeting colorectal cancer prevention. The travelling project is called the Bowel Tour 2010 and is gradually visiting selected large cities in the Czech Republic. On 3 to 5 May, the mock-up will be placed in the Hořovice Hospital. On 6 and 7 May, it will be on display in the Beroun Hospital. The organisers cordially invite everyone who is not indifferent to health. The exhibition will be accompanied by a number of interesting people.
"With the help of the Střevo tour campaign we are trying to offer the Czech public important information about one of the biggest cancer killers. We inform about colorectal cancer in an interesting way with the help of a giant model of the colon," says Mgr. Pavla Šlosserová, the main organizer of the national campaign and director of the Onkomaják civic association. "The 9 × 4 metre mock-up can be walked through like a tunnel and people in all major cities of the Czech Republic can see what the colon looks like inside. They will see not only the healthy mucosa, but also the diseases that most often affect the large intestine. The most serious is, of course, colorectal cancer," adds Pavla Šlosserová.
The mission of the Onkomaják civic association is to show the way and to make everyone in the Czech Republic aware of the options available to them when they are diagnosed with cancer. The entire campaign is planned for at least two years and Onkomaják is cooperating with the VIZE 97 Foundation of Dagmar and Václav Havel, which has been working on colon cancer prevention for several years. A number of public and professional authorities took part in the event in the form of a video clip, and the well-known folk artist Petr Pivrnec Urban also lent his face to the Bowel Tour 2010 campaign. Among other things, his video is also available on the website www.strevo-tour.cz.
"Thanks to further cooperation on this awareness-raising event, we have been given an exclusive opportunity to present the model within our region," says Tomáš Šebek, MD, organiser of the exhibition at the Hořovice Hospital and Beroun Hospital. "Together with the accompanying team of the mock-up intestine, our medical staff will also be involved in the event. Together they will explain the importance of colon cancer prevention and the importance and benefits of colonoscopic examination," adds Tomáš Šebek.
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in the Czech Republic. Every year, almost 8,000 people in our country are diagnosed with a malignant bowel tumour. Czech men have the highest incidence of this disease worldwide. Women are slightly better off, ranking 8th-9th worldwide. Overall, the Czech Republic, together with Hungary, has long been ranked first among European countries for colorectal cancer.
Screening at the level of the whole population allows detecting curable cancer already in its early stages, when patients are not yet in trouble, symptoms of the disease are not manifested and the future prognosis is significantly improved. The screening programme includes a test for occult (hidden) faecal bleeding (TOCS), which can be requested by anyone over 50 from their GP or gynaecologist. The second test is a screening colonoscopy. This also allows suspicious growths in the bowel to be removed straight away. This allows the patient to avoid conventional surgery, which is much more taxing on the body.
It is not only through preventive education that Hořovice Hospital and Beroun Hospital are involved in the care of cancer patients. Both hospitals have established oncology outpatient clinics. In addition, a completely new oncology inpatient unit is currently being completed at the Hořovice Hospital, which will offer patients far greater possibilities than before, even better access to oncology care and, last but not least, far greater comfort.
