Featured Image Credit: Ryan Reynolds/ YouTube
Topics: Ryan Reynolds, Cancer, Health, Celebrity, US News
Poppy Bilderbeck
Topics: Ryan Reynolds, Cancer, Health, Celebrity, US News
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have recorded their colonoscopy examinations to raise awareness of colon cancer.
When Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney aren't busy buying Wrexham FC football club or doing shots with locals at a Welsh pub, apparently they're daring one another with the stakes being to 'publicly broadcast [their] colonoscopy'. Watch below:
Yep, Reynolds wagered that McElhenney wouldn't be able to pick up any Welsh after the pair bought a Welsh football club together.
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McElhenney ended up proving him wrong, and Reynolds had to keep his side of the bargain after losing the bet - to film and share his first colonoscopy.
While it may, at first, seem farcical, the video is all for an exceedingly important cause.
As Reynolds puts it: "I made a bet. I lost. But it still paid off."
In promotion of colorectal cancer alliance, Lead From Behind, whose mission is to 'make colon cancer famous' and 'get the word out that colon cancer is preventable,' Reynolds' up close and very much IN person video starts with the Deadpool actor explaining how, upon turning 45 this year, 'part of being this age is getting a colonoscopy'.
"It's a simple step, which could literally, and I mean literally, save your life," he continued.
Reynolds may be known for his persistent humour, but it's apparent his nerves kick in as he's wheeled off to have the internal examination.
A colonoscopy, according to the NHS, is a 30 to 45 minute procedure which sees a small camera inserted via your bottom, which takes a look at your bowels to search for any abnormalities or growths (polyps).
As Reynolds receives his results, he's told by the doctor that 'an extremely subtle polyp' was discovered 'on the right side' of his colon.
The doctor states: "This was potentially life-saving for you, I'm not kidding, I'm not being overly dramatic.
"This is exactly why you do this. You had no symptoms."
The doctor explained how he 'cut it [the polyp] off at the snare' and it's now 'gone'.
The doctor continued: "You are interrupting the natural history of a disease of something of a process that could have ended up developing into cancer and causing all sorts of problems.
"Instead you're not only diagnosing the polyp, you're taking it out. No one would know you have this, but he reached the age of screening, 45, a routine screening, and there you go, that's why people need to do this. This saves lives pure and simple."
McElhenney wasn't off the hook either. Just because he won the bet, he also got sent off for his colonoscopy, and was filmed while doing so.
The It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia star was told three polyps were found inside him, but all were successfully removed.
When the actor asked what else he could be doing, he was simply told how important it is to maintain regular check-ups.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week