A giant inflatable colon caught the attention of 830 visitors at the COMO Man Show on March 15 at the Boonville Fairgrounds where the Missouri Partnership to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening (MPICCS) used the 6’x6’x27’ inflatable display to raise awareness about colon cancer prevention.
The COMO Man Show, an annual Mid-Missouri expo celebrating “all things manly,” features booths, activities and vendors showcasing hunting, fishing, sports and food. This event attracts a diverse crowd, including Columbia locals and residents of nearby rural towns such as Mexico, Ashland, Boonville and Centralia.
What’s the purpose of a giant inflatable colon at a men’s expo? It’s a practical way to connect with men at an event tailored to them.
According to a national survey by Cleveland Clinic, 72% of men would rather do household chores than go to the doctor. They’re a hard group to reach because they’ve been told from a young age to not complain about their health issues. This includes getting a life-saving colon cancer test.
With March recognized as Colon Cancer Awareness Month, the MPICCS team saw the COMO Man Show as both a unique opportunity to educate attendees about colon cancer prevention and meet men where they already are.
“Well, I was up at Crown Power [& Equipment], and I got a free ticket. Then I saw [the expo] was just down the road, so I thought, I’ll stop in and see [what the event has to offer],” said attendee John Blevins.
While visitors didn’t come for the colon, it grabbed their attention long enough to deliver an important message about colon cancer screening.
“It’s definitely eye-catching and [it] got me to come over here and go through it,” added Blevins.
Chloe Maltagliati, MPICCS project coordinator, led the effort and was joined by student volunteers. Maltagliati concentrated on raising awareness about the revised recommendation to start colonoscopies at age 45. She also had a meaningful conversation with a man whose father died of colon cancer in 1995. His father had never been screened, and after learning about the screening process and the importance of early detection, the man expressed his commitment to schedule a screening.
He wasn’t the only person impacted by the giant inflatable colon. Centralia-native Tom Barbada shares his personal connection to the colon.
“I love it,” Barbada said. “I have a history of some colon stuff, so I know how important colon health is.”
Reactions to the display varied though; some attendees thought it was strange.
“It’s weird, but it’s thought-provoking,” said Amy Hayes from Ashland.
Others resonated with the creative approach like Dulce Matias, a teacher in Columbia.
“It’s so cool. This is exactly what we need to create long-term memory,” said Matias.
For others, it opened the door to personal stories about their experiences with colonoscopies or plans to schedule one. Others found humor in the topic, playfully referring to the procedure as the best nap they’ve ever had.
The importance of colon cancer awareness was also emphasized by health care professionals passing through, such as Michelle Branan.
“I think anytime you can bring this to people’s attention, it’s great,” said Branan. “The test isn’t bad, just get it over with, and you feel safe.”
MPICCS, based at the University of Missouri, works to promote colon cancer screenings through innovative outreach initiatives like the inflatable colon. The organization also collaborates with over 30 Missouri clinics, located mostly in rural areas, offering practice facilitation to improve screening rates across rural Missouri.
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