The Incredible Colon, a 20-foot inflatable exhibit, will visit Western Baptist Hospital on Thursday and the George Weaks Community Center in Murray on Friday as part of National Colon Cancer Awareness Month.

A walk through the exhibit provides information on what healthy colon tissue looks like, how polyps can form in the colon, and how colon cancer develops and can invade other healthy tissue.

Colon cancer is the second-leading cancer killer of both men and women in the United States and in Kentucky. Approximately 142,500 Americans were diagnosed with cancers of the colon and rectum in 2010, and it is estimated that 51,370 individuals died from colon and rectal cancer.

The exhibit is offered by the Kentucky Cancer Program, Western Baptist and the Purchase District Health Department. Hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday in the atrium of Western Baptist’s Doctors Office Building 2 and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday at the Weaks Community Center, 607 Poplar St., Murray.

On Friday, Western Baptist employees will wear blue on the third annual national Dress in Blue Day and make donations to raise money and awareness for colon cancer education. Blue ribbons will decorate trees around the hospital, and the hospital cafeteria will offer healthy “blue plate specials.”

Gastroenterologist Pamela Reed will speak at a free colon cancer awareness luncheon noon to 1 p.m. March 25 in the Baptist Heart Center auditorium. Reservations are required; phone 270-575-2895 to register.