Ryan Reynolds Finds An "Extremely Subtle Polyp" While Undergoing Colonoscopy On Camera

Ryan Reynolds had an “extremely subtle polyp” removed in a “potentially life-saving” colonoscopy.

The Deadpool actor, 45, underwent the procedure with  It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia star Rob McElhenney, also 45, on camera in a new YouTube video to raise awareness of colon cancer and highlight the importance of the cancer-screening procedure. Both men owned the Welsh football club Wrexham AFC.

Colonoscopy involves inserting a camera into the rectum to look for changes or abnormalities (like a polyp) in the large intestine.  A polyp is a benign or non-cancerous growth which may develop into cancer over time. Not all polyps change into cancer and this largely depends on the kind of polyp.

Reynolds, who shares three daughters with actress wife Blake Lively, 35, joked he only agreed to publicly broadcast the procedure if McElhenney learned Welsh.

The Adam Project star told viewers: “It’s a simple step that could literally, and I mean literally, save your life.”

Mclhenney added, "It's obviously a procedure that makes people uncomfortable but it sure beats getting cancer. We wanted to have fun with this because as with all the weird things that happen in life, why not make it fun instead of scary?"

Following his 30-minute rectal exam, Reynolds was told by his doctor an “extremely subtle polyp” had been found.

The doctor said: “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 added after he removed the growth: “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.”

McElhenney, on the other hand, found three polyps, but was told they were “not a big deal”.

Watch the PSA, which was produced in partnership with Lead from Behind and the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, here:

Colorectal cancer is the No.1 cancer in Singapore. According to HealthHub, it's recommended that people with an average risk of colorectal cancer start regular screenings at age 50. For info, click here.— BANG SHOWBIZ

Photo: TPG News/Click Photos