Michigan Tribal Members Learn about Colon Cancer

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Health. Discussion »

DORR, MICHIGAN - The Gun Lake Tribe (Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians) Health and Human Services Department hosted the Prevent Cancer Super Colon exhibit on Monday at its offices in Dorr, Michigan.

Gun Lake tribal elder and treasurer, Coleen Nessner explores exhibit

The Super Colon is a popular feature of the "Check Your Insides Out… From Top to Bottom" exhibit that travels to many cities throughout the United States. The Gun Lake Tribe is the last stop of the swing through Michigan by the Prevent Cancer Foundation, which had the Super Colon exhibit displayed on Monday.

The Super Colon is 20-foot long, 8-foot high replica of a human colon that illustrates for visitors the differences between healthy tissue, colon diseases and various stages of colorectal cancer. The Super Colon is owned and operated by the Prevent Cancer Foundation, based in Alexandria, Virginia.

"The visits to the tribal communities have been really good. In some cases, it has been very touching. People come and tell us about their family histories," commented Cheryssa Jensen, Communications Director for the Prevent Cancer Foundation.

The Gun Lake Tribe's Health and Human Services Department hosted a five-hour Wellness Center Open House on Monday. During the first hour, about 50 its tribal members and members of other tribes in the area went through the Super Colon, according to Phyliss Davis, director of the Tribe's Health and Human Services Department. The event was free and open to the general public - American Indians and non-ndians.

Super Colon… provides graphic truths of diseased colon

Visitors were given a survey and a post-test to determine how beneficial the event was to them.

"This was a nice way of learning about the disease," said Pam Maillet, who is a Community Health Representative for neighboring Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi. Mallett brought two tribal members with her.

The following information on colorectal cancer was distributed by the Prevent Cancer Foundation:

Colorectal Cancer is a cancer of the colon and rectum. It's as common in women as it is in men.

The rates of cancer among American Indian and Alaska Native people vary greatly from one region to another, with the highest rates in Alaska and the Northern, Central and Southern Plains states. Among American Indian and Alaska Native people, colorectal cancer is often diagnosed at later stages. With recommended screening, this cancer can be prevented by removing polyps before they become cancerous, or detected early, when it can be easily and successfully treated.

At Risk:

The Gun Lake Tribe was the last stop among tribal communities in Michigan. Last week the Super Colon exhibit was at the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, based in Baraga; Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of the Chippewa Indians, based in Sault Ste. Marie and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan, based in Mt. Pleasant.

Other interested tribes across the nation can find out about the availability of having the Super Colon come to their tribal communities can call Cheryssa Jensen at 703.837.3687.

posted August 9, 2011 6:40 am edt