Students in Inuvik, N.W.T., walked through the 12-metre-long inflatable colon on Tuesday, learning about colorectal cancer. (Chris Harbord/CBC)

The 12-metre-long, pink inflatable colon was hard to miss in Inuvik, N.W.T., this week as northern residents were invited to find out more about colorectal cancer and get tested for it early.

Snaking across the floor at the Inuvik recreation complex was the two-metre-high walk-through model of the human lower intestine, complete with an anus entrance.

Visitors were invited to walk through the giant colon, a display organized by the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada.

"I'm very proud to be taking it around," said Bram Eisenthal, the association's exhibits manager, who brought the colon north from Montreal.

"My friends think I'm nuts. I've heard every joke in the book. But yet, it's an incredible thing to do."

Cancer warning delivered

Jutting out of the walls of the plastic colon were large red growths representing polyps, hemorrhoids and cancerous tumours. Eisenthal said he wants to get people talking about the sometimes embarrassing topic for the good of their health.

"Up until now, you don't want to talk about your anus. You don't want to discuss what's going on inside your colon," he said.

"But certainly, at some point you should discuss it with your doctor, at the very least, if not with your family."

Inuvik's Dr. Braam de Klerk, who has seen his share of real intestines during colonoscopy procedures, said he hopes the colon display will persuade everyone over age 50 to get tested for colorectal cancer.

"It's very life-like," he said. "I think people will be amazed to see the ugly stuff that can go inside you."

After the display Tuesday in Inuvik, the giant colon is set to appear later this week in Yellowknife.