‘Actress Amy Schumer, 44, Recent Colonoscopy Helps Reduce Cancer Risks By Wiping Out Precancerous Polyps Proactively, But She Says Her Procedure Left Her Recovering Longer Than Expected

Polyps are small, noncancerous growths that can develop into cancer over time if they aren’t removed.

“When we see a polyp, we actually physically take the polyp out through the colonoscope,” says Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal cancer surgeon and Director of the Cedars-Sinai Colorectal Cancer Center.

Despite the benefits, Schumer, a mother of one, says she walked away from her procedure with an unexpected side effect.

“I actually had, kind of, a botched colonoscopy, so I’m not feeling very sexual,” Schumer said on the “Not Skinny But Not Fat” podcast.

 

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Schumer did not go into details about why she’s lacked a sexual desire after receiving a colonoscopy, but colon cancer patients who undergo surgery will be able to resume a normal sex life after the procedure, according to colorectal surgeon and surgical oncologist Dr. Heather Yeo.

“After general colorectal surgery, for most of the colorectal surgery, your sex life is not affected,” Dr. Yeo tells SurvivorNet.

WATCH: Your Sex Life is Probably Going to be OK After Colon Cancer Surgery

“I mean, except for around the time of recovery, we obviously don’t want you to pop any stitches. But for rectal cancer, because taking out parts of the rectum, the nerves that affect your sexual organs can be affected after surgery. So sexual function can be affected after rectal cancer surgery,”

What Goes Into a Colonoscopy and How Patients Should Prepare

A colonoscopy is a procedure doctors use to screen for colon cancer by looking inside the colon.

This procedure requires your colon to be “cleaned out.” To clear out your colon, your doctor will prescribe a “bowel prep,” a liquid you drink the night before the procedure. The prep acts as a laxative that causes you to have multiple loose stools before your procedure.

Once your colon is cleared out, the gastroenterologist performing the procedure can have a clear look to evaluate if any polyps or masses are present.

Depending on the size and number of polyps found, it is recommended that patients undergo a repeat colonoscopy within three to five years.

Dr. Murrell explains that when surgeons detect polyps, they “put a wire through with a little bit of a flange at the end, and we pull the polyp out. Now, note there is no pain with that. Inside the colon, there are no pain fibers. So, there’s no pain.”

The advantage of a colonoscopy is that your doctor can remove any polyps found during the test. Many colon cancers can be caught on a colonoscopy before they develop or when the polyps are small enough to be removed without surgery.

Schumer’s Long History of Health Advocacy

Schumer has lived with endometriosis, a chronic disease that causes pelvic pain and menstrual changes. She’s been open about the challenges the condition has caused her. “Roughly 10% of reproductive age women and girls” are impacted by endometriosis, according to the World Health Organization, and now a recent study suggests this group faces a higher risk of ovarian cancer.

“Endometriosis is the term for whenever those endometrial cells, those lining of the uterus cells, are outside of their normal place, which is inside the uterus,” OB/GYN and oncologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Dr. Bobbie Rimel, explains, adding that it is a benign condition.

Researchers who published a study in the medical journal JAMA sought to learn how much – if any – influence endometriosis has on a woman’s ovarian cancer risk. They concluded, “Women with endometriosis had 4.2-fold higher ovarian cancer risk than those without endometriosis.”

Women with severe cases of endometriosis are especially at higher risk of ovarian cancer.

When ovarian cancer is detected early enough, it has a better than 90% cure rate. The problem is that it’s not easy to diagnose, especially in its nascent stages, so only 20% of cases are caught early.

WATCH: Medical oncologist Dr. Derrick Haslem explains why women with a strong family history of ovarian cancer should talk to their doctor about genetic testing 

In 2021, Schumer underwent surgery removing 30 endometriosis lesions to help treat her diagnosis, partly because she experienced “painful periods.”

“He removed my appendix because the endometriosis had attacked it. There was a lot of blood in my uterus, and I’m, you know, sore, and I have some, like, gas pains. But, other than that, I already feel that my energy is [returning],” Schumer explained.

“Like every other woman/person, some days I feel confident and good as well, and others I want to put a bag over my head. But I feel strong and beautiful and so proud,” Schumer added.

SurvivorNet’s ‘My Health Questions’ Helps Patients With Questions Between Appointments

“My Health Questions” was built specifically for the realities of cancer care experienced by patients and caregivers, and not as a general‑purpose chatbot.

It handles both complex clinical issues and everyday logistical concerns with accuracy, clarity, and personalization.

Users can create a tailored health profile by entering details such as age, gender, and location, allowing the platform to refine responses over time. This reflects SurvivorNet’s mission: pairing cutting‑edge technology with physician‑driven expertise to make complex medical information accessible and actionable.

Crucially, the tool is doctor‑supported. Leading oncology experts review the information to ensure it is accurate, safe, and easy to understand.

The goal is not to replace clinicians, but to help patients arrive at appointments better prepared with informed questions and a clearer understanding of their care journey.

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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