Colorectal Cancer News

10 Years After Katie Couric’s Live Colonoscopy

10 years ago, Katie Couric underwent a live colonoscopy on the Today show. The goal was to raise awareness for colon cancer and to convince people that getting a colonoscopy was relatively easy and painless. Millions viewed the live broadcast, and many more continue to view the video online through sites like YouTube. Couric became an advocate for colon cancer after her husband died of the disease in 1998. That year, there was a 20% increase in colonoscopies.

So what do we need to know, 10 years later? Michael Kreines, a gastroenterologist with the Ohio Gastroenterology and Liver Institute and Member of the Medical Science Advisory Committee for the Colon Cancer Alliance, says that “Katie jump-started what has become almost a fad of acceptance for people to have their colonoscopies. Many lives have been saved by people inspired by Katie's live demonstration that a colonoscopy is not uncomfortable or embarrassing." That being said, half of colon cancer cases are still being caught in the later stages – which means that many still aren’t getting the recommended screening.

References
Everett, Jenny. 10 Years After Katie Couric's Colonoscopy: What You Need to Know. SELF Magazine. 2011 January 6.

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