ST. LOUIS –  It’s an oversized inflatable way of encouraging others to get screened for cancer told by a survivor.

“With these diseases there are no symptoms,” says Patricia Bagi, a cancer Survivor and health coach at Affinia Healthcare. “You don’t know that you have polyps. My first colonoscopy, they found three polyps. I didn’t know. I didn’t have any symptoms.”

Patricia Bagi is a health coach for Affinia healthcare and a colon cancer survivor.

Friday morning at the International Institute near Tower Grove, she’s taking part in a Zumba class. She also is taking some International Institute visitors on a stroll through an oversized colon.

The headlamp is to add some levity and enlightenment on colorectal cancer prevention and awareness. In the United States, 10% of cases are diagnosed in people under 50 years old…that’s why getting tested is so important.

“In different cultures they don’t see the importance of the checkups,” Bagi said. “But now, this is part of the checkup after 45.”

The healthcare professionals are offering International Institute families and members home kits and encouraging a colonoscopy after age 45.

“This was my first time to come across the cancer situation,” says attendee Francis Bilock. “This is my first time so I think at home and then I have to do my test and know what is my situation about a cancer.”

Bagi says the inflatable colon serves as a good way of getting people to talk about healthcare for new residents.