Leading By Example
- Comedic actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, both 45, helped launch a new campaign called “Lead From Behind,” letting their behinds do the talking while screening for the disease on camera via colonoscopy.
- The Deadpool star and the It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia actor/creator were both thankful that they did the procedure, as both of their doctors found potentially pre-cancerous polyps lurking in their colons.
- Doctors have yet to pinpoint exactly why there is such a spike with younger cases of colorectal cancer, which is cancer starting in the colon or rectum. Obesity and physical inactivity are two of the bigger risk factors. Schedule an appointment to go get screened today.
According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer, which is getting more common in younger people, starts in the colon or the rectum. These cancers can also be called colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where they start.
Read More‘Potentially Life-Saving’ Colonoscopies
Reynolds’s test came back showing a “subtle” polyp on the right side of his colon, which was removed.His doctor, NYC Langone gastroentologist Dr. Jon Lapook, who is also chief medical correspondent for CBS News, said this was a huge catch for the Deadpool legend, who also owns his own marketing firm, Maximum Effort, who spearheaded the campaign.
“Let your behind be the leader it was born to be,” the organization wrote on their Instagram page with the news announcement.
“This was potentially life-saving for you. I’m not kidding. I’m not being overly dramatic,” Dr. Lapook told Reynolds in the project clip, as the procedure was captured on film. “This is exactly why we do this, OK, you had no symptoms.”
“Seriously thank you for pushing me to do this,” Reynolds said, expressing his gratitude.
Taking care of your health is important, but even more crucial when you have children. The Critics’ Choice Award-winner is married to fellow A-lister Blake Lively, and they have three young kids together: James, 7, Inez, 5, and Betty, age 2.
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“It’s not every day that you can raise awareness about something that will most definitely save lives,” Reynolds added about the advocacy experience.
Looking for Polyps During Colonoscopy
Screening for Pre-Cancerous Polyps
McElhenney’s colonoscopy with board-certified specialist in clinical nutrition and gastroenterology, Dr. Leo Treyzon, also revealed potentially pre-cancerous lesions.
“Today we found three polyps, they were small,” Dr. Treyzon said. “They were not a big deal but certainly a good thing that we found them early and removed them.”
Both actors are 45 years old, the age now recommended for people at average risk for colorectal cancer to begin screening. If you have an immediate family member with a history of the disease, many experts say screening at 35 is a good age for people in that health situation.
Doctors have yet to pinpoint exactly why there is such a spike with younger cases of colorectal cancer. Obesity and not being active are two of the bigger risk factors. Schedule an appointment to go get screened today.
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