awareness events: Super Colon & Undy 5000

Colon cancer awareness events are increasingly commonplace in US cities. The inflatable 20-foot Super Colon, sponsored by the Prevent Cancer Foundation, is one huge vehicle for stimulating interest in matters of that organ. As shown in the top video, which includes interviews with MD Anderson's Roxanne McCormac and Dr. Rene Mueller, Super Colon encourages walking tours through it where polyps, cancerous masses, and other conditions can be inspected up close. Organizations may also now purchase inflatable colons from the Colon Cancer Alliance. The Undy 5000, shown in the bottom clip, is another attention-grabbing event that has been sponsored in many cities over recent years by the Colon Cancer Alliance.

Confronting Colon Cancer documentary

This informative documentary produced by PBS-affiliate WVIZ explores in step-by-step detail causes, symptoms, and surgical treatment of colorectal cancer. Uses case studies of patients to examine colonoscopy preparation and procedure, laparoscopic resection, and pathological findings. Chemotherapy is not addressed. Provides interviews with practitioners, patients, and family members. WVIZ website includes related coverage of colon cancer issues. Highly recommended for beginning students and patient education.

anticolonoscopy pop culture and "science"

The ultimate anticolonoscopy statement is the 2007 feature film, Sublime.  The protagonist's procedure goes awry and leaves him in a prolonged, excruciatingly terror-filled coma mercifully ended by death. 

Advisory: do not recommend to anyone in need of a colonoscopy. Practitioners should view in order to deal with possible patient fears generated by it. 

Although considered the "gold standard" for colon cancer screening, opposition comes in part from pseudoscience elements who claim it not only ineffective, but unsafe. In his Death by Colonoscopy video series, Konstantin Monastyrsky, self-proclaimed expert in the field of "forensic nutrition," selects bits and pieces from various studies and commonly misinterprets findings to support his anticolonoscopy bias (see, e.g, the segment in the bottom video from 1:25 to 2:15). Recommended to use as object of critique for beginning students. 

The New York Times cancer-related multimedia

The New York Times clearly stands out among news media in its multimedia coverage of cancer. In the above video, cancer effects are demonstrated to extend beyond the patient to other family members in many ways. The clip is from the series, Life Interrupted: A Video Portrait of Cancer in Young Adulthood, created by Suleika Jaouad, a 23 year-old writer now chronicling her experiences with leukemia.

Relevant multimedia may be located and accessed through search by media type (see "cancer videos" playlists). Searching by cancer type provides lists of articles, videos, and graphics (click here for colon cancer media).

The online paper allows for 10 free visits per month.

online news video

It is good that instructors and practitioners keep abreast of news stories on cancer-related matters. In this recent ABC report, breaking news is provided about MD Anderson research findings on the therapeutic effects of Metformin (glucophage) in treating various cancers. Such stories can be forwarded to inform relevant target populations of developments. But they are also at times quite incomplete in important details or seriously flawed, and therefore can be used as objects for critique.



One of the best sources of news stories in the sense of giving more than a sound-bite approach is the PBS NewsHour (see playlist search of stories involving cancer). In the above clip, Ray Suarez recently talked to Dr. Andrew Chan about research findings suggesting that a daily dose of aspirin can be an effective prophylactic against various cancers.

Cancer Statistics via the NCI

There is an abundance of online data available for the description and analysis of cancer incidence and mortality in the U.S. The best source appears to be the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Statistics website, where there are a host of relevant resources. For example, instructors, students, and practitioners interested in the epidemiology of cancer should become familiar with State Cancer Profiles from which they can select demographic variables to create cancer incidence tables and interactive maps at national and state levels (see above).  Another useful NCI resource is the Surveillance Epidemiology End Results (SEER) site, which includes various data sets and software for analysis and Fast Stats, an interactive tool allowing for the easy generation of tables and graphs through simplified access. Also available through NCI is Cancer Control P.L.A.N.E.T. which provides statistics and applied resources useful for planning, intervention, and evaluation efforts.

Understanding Cancer series

Understanding Cancer is a set of tutorials provided by The National Cancer Institute on the biology of cancer, and particularly the role of genetics in contributing to cancer. Graphic slides can be easily adopted to presentation software, if not already in PowerPoint formats. The collection is a solid teaching resource for introductory-level students, and for public and patient education.

big decisions re cancer

Cancer is a life-changing, as well as an oft life-ending, condition. Videos can be used effectively from both clinical and popular media angles to enhance the introduction of health-care students with such matters. In the bottom clip, David S. Ettinger, MD addresses the importance of making end-of-life decisions upfront, while in the top clip, Breaking Bad protagonist, methamphetamine manufacturer, and lung-cancer patient, Walter White, seizes the moment to voice his preferences about how he wants to go out (view series creator Vince Gilligan's comments here about the emotions evoked on the set while shooting this scene).     

NCCN.com video collection

National Comprehensive Cancer Network, NCCN, is a significant resource for patients, caregivers, and family. Collections of  cancer-patient education videos, many of which are also highly relevant for practitioners, are available at its video center and YouTube channel. In the above clip, an oncologist draws on his own experience as a cancer patient in stressing the importance of the first interview with a new patient.

Clinical Care Options: Oncology

Clinical Care Options: Oncology provides a massive collection of free workshops and tutorials on screening, testing, and treatment across various cancers (registration required). Includes, as well, a case challenges component which entails interactive instruction about patient management (see sample case study here). Free downloadable PowerPoint slides are available for many topics, including numerous presentations on colorectal cancer. CME credit provided for some modules.