Ryan Reynolds gets 'potentially life-saving' colonoscopy on camera
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have brought their signature style of humor to a serious subject in a new video that aims to highlight the importance of screening for colon cancer and encourage men aged 45 or older to get a colonoscopy.
During the comic preamble, Reynolds explains that when they both became co-chairs of the Wrexham FC soccer team in Wales, he bet that McElhenney would not be able to master the Welsh language. He was so confident, in fact, that he claimed he would broadcast the footage from his colonoscopy if he were to be proven wrong.
"Rob and I both turned 45 this year, and part of being this age is getting a colonoscopy," says Reynolds. "It's a simple step that could literally, and I mean literally, save your life."
Despite his reticence about having a medical procedure filmed and shared, Reynolds consents, and his journey through the process is documented above, from going under anesthesia to coming around afterwards. His doctor explains that the actual colonoscopy itself only takes around 30 minutes, and is "stunningly effective" in identifying colon cancer, enabling timely and life-saving treatment.
Following his procedure, Reynolds' doctor informs him that they found a small polyp, which they were able to remove before it could become cancerous and cause serious health complications.
Not to be outdone, McElhenney agrees to have cameras follow him into his colonoscopy as well. Doctors find and remove three small polyps, once again highlighting how important this procedure is.
Colon cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in the United States, affecting 1 in 24 Americans. Reynolds and McElhenney made the video above in partnership with , a newly launched initiative that is dedicated to raising awareness of the preventability of colon cancer, with screening and surveillance the easiest ways to monitor your colon health.
Reynolds and McElhenney aren't the first to share footage of this procedure: TV host Jimmy Kimmel underwent a colonoscopy during an episode of his show in 2018, accompanied by Katie Couric, whose own husband died of colon cancer. In 2019, movie star Will Smith shared a video of his first colonoscopy at the age of 51.