Featured Image Credit: YouTube/Ryan Reynolds
Topics: Cancer, Health, Ryan Reynolds, Celebrity
Kya Buller
Topics: Cancer, Health, Ryan Reynolds, Celebrity
Ryan Reynolds filmed himself getting an invasive procedure and uploaded the footage to YouTube after losing a bet - but it turns out there's an important message behind it all.
The Deadpool & Wolverine actor, 47, lost a bet to his friend and co-owner of Wrexham Football Club, Rob McElhenney, of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia fame.
As a result of losing said bet, Reynolds agreed to getting a colonoscopy and letting the entire world know about the experience - with video footage to match.
The act was also done while encouraging others to get colonoscopies for health reasons.
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He quipped that raising awareness was 'enough motivation for me to let you in on a camera being shoved up my ass'.
And while the procedure was done as a result of losing, it turns out Reynolds was actually the winner as a result of the whole thing.
It was discovered that he had a polyp was discovered and as a result, was able to be removed.
Reynolds hadn't experienced any symptoms.
The video, made in partnership with the Colorectal Cancer Society's initiative Lead From Behind, shows the doctor saying to the actor: “I’m not being dramatic. This is exactly why you do this. 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 are not only diagnosing the polyp, you are taking it out."
Ever the joker, Reynolds was able to fit in a joke about his alcohol brand.
He said: “I can’t believe you pumped all that Aviation Gin into my IV. I was out like a light!”
The video was first shared in 2022, making Reynolds 45 at the time of the colonoscopy.
In the accompanying caption to the video, Reynolds and McElhenney shared: "We're raising awareness that #ColonCancer is The Preventable Cancer. Colon cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in America. 1 in 24 Americans gets colon cancer. It doesn’t need to be - because it’s preventable.
"The best way to prevent colon cancer is by getting a colonoscopy when you turn 45. The guidelines changed in 2021 lowering the age from 50 to 45.
"People don’t want to talk about colonoscopies, let alone get one. We’re using humour and heart to change that.
"Colon cancer is rising in young people - predicted to be the top cancer killer for people under 50 by 2030."
The Colorectal Cancer Alliance commented: "It's been an honour to do this partnership with you. Your advocacy about colon cancer will save countless lives."
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.