Actor Ryan Reynolds documented himself getting a colonoscopy and it potentially saved his life.
Reynolds and actor Rob McElhenney are both co-chairman of the Welsh football club Wrexham A.F.C. on the FX series “Welcome to Wrexham, according to the “Today” show.
In a YouTube video titled, “Lead From Behind” Reynolds and McElhenney, both 45, revealed that last year they made a bet that Reynolds would broadcast his colonoscopy if McElhenney learned Welsh. McElhenney then proved that Reynolds lost the bet.
“Part of being this age is getting a colonoscopy. It’s a simple step that could literally — and I mean literally — save your life,” Reynolds said in the video with McElhenney.
As Reynolds was going into the hospital, he said, “It’s not every day that you can raise awareness about something that will most definitely save lives. That’s enough motivation for me to let you in on a camera being shoved up my a–.”
Before going in to have the procedure, Reynolds doctor, Dr. Lapook, told him that getting a colonoscopy is, “stunningly effective.”
Once the procedure was over, Dr. Lapook revealed to Reynolds that he found “an extremely subtle polyp” on the right side of his colon, which was removed.
“This was potentially life-saving for you. I’m not kidding. I’m not being overly-dramatic. This is exactly why you do this,” he said.
New guidelines suggest that you should begin screening for colorectal cancer at the age of 45.
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society.
“We can make a substantial dent in that through screening. Starting at age 45 can save additional lives and prevent additional cases by removing precancerous polyps,” Dr. Michael Barry, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School told the “Today” show.