MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (January 23, 2006)—What does cancer look like? Why are zebrafish used in cancer research? How does a surgeon perform a minimally invasive operation to remove cancer?

Twin Cities area residents can get answers to those questions and others about cancer at the sixth annual Cancer and the Human Body event. The University of Minnesota Cancer Center and the Science Museum of Minnesota jointly sponsor this informal educational event from 1-4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Science Museum, 120 W, Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul.

“Cancer is now the leading health concern in Minnesota, and our goal with this event is to provide adults, students and children with an opportunity to learn more about cancer from people who work with it,” says Marva Bohen, outreach education director at the Cancer Center.

Physicians, researchers, and nurses will staff exhibits and activities, including:

• Showing what normal and cancer cells look like under a microscope
• Providing a quiz about cancer and its risk factors
• Explaining the role of zebrafish in stopping the development of blood vessels that feed tumors to block tumor growth
• Finding the tiniest detail about a cell through lasers
• Using mirrors to show how minimally invasive surgery is performed

The event cost is included with museum admission of $8.50 for an adult and $6.50 for a child or senior. For more information, call the University of Minnesota Cancer Center at (612) 625-4441 or visit the Web site at www.cancer.umn.edu.

The University of Minnesota Cancer Center is located at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. It is designated by the National Cancer Institute as a comprehensive cancer center. For more information about the Cancer Center and cancer, call 1-888-CANCERMN (1-888-226-2376) or email ccinfo@umn.edu.

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Media Contact: Mary Lawson, Public Relations Director, University of Minnesota Cancer Center, 612-624-6165, 612-363-6971 (cell), mlawson@umn.edu.