By Drew Weisholtz -
TODAY
Actor Ryan Reynolds will never be more grateful to have lost a bet.
Documenting their experiences as co-chairman of Welsh football club Wrexham AFC on the FX series
Welcome to Wrexham
, Reynolds and Rob McElhenney made a bet:
Reynolds would live-stream his colonoscopy
if McElhenney learned Welsh.
McElhenney learned Welsh and Reynolds proved to be a man of his word.
Ryan Reynolds turned 45, the age at which they recommend having a colonoscopy.
Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images
This year, both actors turned 45: the age new medical guidelines recommend for colonoscopy.
"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 a joint video to raise awareness of the importance of this screening.
[Biden has a benign, potentially precancerous colon polyp removed. Her doctor ruled out any treatment]
"It's not every day you get to raise awareness of something that's
definitely going to save lives.
That's enough motivation to let people watch you get a camera shoved up your ****," Reynolds said in the video as he entered the hospital for his colonoscopy. .
Before undergoing the procedure, Dr. Lapook, his physician, explained to Reynolds how important a colonoscopy can be.
"It's amazingly effective," said the doctor.
Postoperatively, Dr. Lapook informed Reynolds that he had found "an extremely subtle polyp."
"This
potentially saved you
," he added.
"I'm not kidding. I'm not being overly dramatic. This is exactly why it's done."
"You interrupt the natural progression of a disease, of a process that could have turned into cancer and caused all sorts of problems," Lapook said.
[Will Smith had his first colonoscopy and recorded all the details]
"Not only is the polyp diagnosed, it's removed. So no one would know he had this, but he got to the age of having those tests, 45. He had a routine test and there you go, that
's why people needs to do this.
They really need to do this. This saves lives, pure and simple."
Reynolds shared the video on his Instagram social network page and generated dozens of comments.
Among them was one of Katie Couric, who had her famous colonoscopy on the TODAY show in 2000, two years after her husband died of colon cancer.
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"Come on Ryan! (Wait! You already did!) Thanks for spreading the word! Next time I'll order Aviation Gin in my IV!" Couric wrote, alluding to the spirits brand Reynolds is from. owner.
McElhenney also underwent the procedure in the video, which revealed three small polyps that were removed.
[Thai woman undergoes colonoscopy and has stolen diamond removed]
"What does
make a difference is getting tested and
being vigilant," said Dr. Treyzon, a McElhenney physician.
Reynolds and McElhenney made the video in collaboration with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, kicking off the Lead From Behind initiative, an effort to raise awareness of colon cancer and take action to prevent it.
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"I've been on camera many times. But this was the first time I've been put through the..." Reynolds said in a statement.
"The procedure and preparation were painless, but the awkwardness of filming and sharing the process was the hardest part. Rob and I did it because we want this potentially life-saving procedure to
be less mysterious and stigmatized
."
In announcing the new initiative, Lead From Behind noted that colon cancer is growing among the youngest and may become the deadliest cancer among those under 50 by 2030.