Inflatable model to promote bowel cancer awareness

The inflatable model will be in Burnley all week

A giant inflatable bowel to raise awareness of bowel cancer and its symptoms has gone on display.

Measuring 19ft x 7ft (6m x 2m), the interactive model demonstrates the various stages of the disease, the importance of screening programmes, and the opportunity to learn about good bowel health.

The inflatable model will be located at Asda on Princess Way and in Burnley town centre throughout the week.

Helen Whiteley, from Bowel Cancer UK, said the inflatable model was "a fabulous visual aid to explain to people what happens inside the bowel, how changes can happen, and why sometimes those changes can cause the symptoms of bowel cancer and at what point people should be getting checked out".

The interactive walk-through model demonstrates the various stages of bowel cancer

"It breaks down the barriers," said Ms Whitely. "If we can get people giggling about something, it gets people talking about it.

"We need to get people to talk more about the embarrassing stuff, people don't like to talk about bowels, we don't like to talk about poo, but that's exactly what we need people to start doing, to get the confidence to go and see their doctor."

She said bowel cancer survival rates were improving due to increased awareness.

"If it's caught at its earliest stage, it can be treated very successfully - nine in 10 people will survive if it's detected at stage one."

Key symptoms of bowel cancer:

• Bleeding from your bottom

• Blood in your poo

• A change in your pooing habits. You might be going more or less often, or have diarrhoea or constipation that might come and go

• Unexplained weight loss

• Unexplained fatigue

• A pain or lump in your tummy

Source: Bowel Cancer UK