Latest news with #Couric
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Katie Couric shares what she wishes she knew about colon cancer before her husband died at 42 years old
Katie Couric has advocated for colon cancer awareness since losing her husband to the disease in 1998. He was diagnosed at 41 years old, with symptoms like fatigue and digestive changes. Detecting colon cancer early is key to treatment, and innovations with AI and blood tests can help. When Katie Couric's husband, Jay Monahan, was diagnosed with colon cancer at 41 years old it was a complete shock. By the time he was diagnosed it was already stage 4. He died 9 months later, weeks after his 42nd birthday. "Colon cancer didn't even cross our minds. He of course had symptoms, and in hindsight, I wish we had known what they were," Couric told Business Insider. Monahan had been tired, but that was understandable as a busy lawyer and legal analyst for NBC News, and a parent to their two daughters. That fatigue, and some digestive changes, were vague symptoms of his illness. They're common early signs of colon cancer that can be easy to miss. At the time of his diagnosis, in 1997, the recommended age for colonoscopy was 50. Today, it's 45 — changed in 2021 in a response to a concerning rise of colon cancer among younger people. Since his death, Couric said, she set herself on a lifelong course to help others catch their colon cancer before it's too late. "Two of the worst words in the English language are 'what if.' You don't want to be wondering, 'What if I had gotten screened?' when it's too late," Couric said. "I hate to be that blunt, but it's true." Couric spoke to BI during Colorectal Awareness Month as part of her partnership with Cologuard Classic by Exact Sciences, a PGA tournament to support patients and caregivers affected by the disease. After 27 years of advocacy, Couric shared what she now knows about how to spot colon cancer signs early, and new breakthroughs that could transform how people are diagnosed and treated. The past two decades have shown a disturbing pattern of colon cancer diagnoses showing up more often in people in their 20s, 30s and 40s. Potential factors like diets high in processed foods and red meat, drinking habits, and microplastics could all be driving the rise of colon cancer in younger people. Couric said she's grateful that there's now more awareness of major symptoms of colon cancer, such as: Fatigue Unintentional weight loss Changes in bowel habits Blood in stool One reason colon cancer is misdiagnosed or missed is that symptoms can be vague and attributed to other digestive illnesses. While the recommended age to start screening for colon cancer was lowered to 45 in 2021, Couric said she finds it "very disturbing" that only about 20% of people between 45 and 49 have been screened. "If you or someone you know falls into that category, please get your butt to the doctor!" she said. But don't wait for a blood test or other future innovation to be ready if you're worried about your risk now. Colon cancer is very treatable when detected early, so getting screened is crucial. Colonoscopies are one option, especially for people with known risk factors like a family history of colon cancer or polyps, or digestive diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease. Another less-invasive option for people with average risk is a stool test, which can be done at home. "I've learned the best test is the one that gets done, so do your research and figure out what works best for you," Couric said. She said her advice is to pay attention to anything out of the ordinary, get medical attention, and advocate for yourself at the doctor's office. "The important thing is to talk to your doctor and if your doctor isn't taking either your symptoms or desire to get screened seriously, find another doctor, preferably a gastroenterologist," Couric said. Major scientific breakthroughs such diagnostic blood tests and innovations driven by artificial intelligence could prevent colon cancer, and make it more treatable than ever, Couric said. "I'm excited to see the capabilities that AI will have on new treatments and screening opportunities," Couric said. The FDA approved a first-of-its-kind blood test for colon cancer screening in 2024. It works by detecting warning signs in the blood, such as DNA shed by tumors, although it's not a substitute for other screening such as colonoscopies. AI is already being used to further colon cancer research. It can organize datasets so scientists can better understand the difference between healthy and diseased cells, leading to breakthroughs like the "gut atlas," a map of 1.6 million cells which make up the most comprehensive look at the human digestive system to date. It could even make screenings more accurate by helping doctors spot polyps and other abnormal growths, although more refining is needed to cut down on AI-related false alarms. Read the original article on Business Insider
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Katie Couric Reveals She's Convinced One Star to Get a Colonoscopy & Is Still Battling To Get Another to Do It
For those who don't know, South by Southwest, also known as SXSW, is in full swing! So many stars have arrived for the movie premieres, for the events, and of course, for the educational panels. From March 7 to March 15, people can go to SXSW, a week-long conference and festival, to learn, grow, and more. One of the biggest events of the show has everyone talking: the SheMedia Co-Lab's Gut Check: Gut Health and The Rise of Colon Cancer in Young Adults panel! Held today, Saturday, March 8 at 10:15 AM, people saw moderator Katie Couric talk about young people's gut health with Dr. Nancy You, a surgeon and director of the Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Program at MD Anderson, Dr. Susan Bullman–an Associate Professor of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway Foods. More from SheKnows Paris Jackson Claps Back at Trolls Who Criticized Her Naked Fashion Week Dresses: 'Stop Freaking Out About Nipples' And during the beginning of this panel, Couric revealed something intriguing: she's convinced one star to get a colonoscopy, and is still working to convince another to get one. 'I have done everything I can to encourage people to get screened, even getting an on air colonoscopy on the Today show back in the year 2000 which resulted in a 20 percent increase in colonoscopies nationwide, which was so gratifying,' she said. 'In the year since I tried to keep this issue on the front burner, I took Jimmy Kimmel to get a colonoscopy a few years ago. I'm trying to get Kevin Hart to let me take him this year, because he just turned 45 and he hasn't gotten back to me yet.' While Couric has convinced Kimmel to do it, it seems she's battling to get Hart to finally go! Now, for those wondering, a colonoscopy is a procedure that uses an endoscope to examine the large intestine, or colon, to look for anything unusual like growths or polyps. Per Yale Medicine, 'The American Cancer Society and U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend that people between the ages of 45 and 75 who are at average risk for colorectal cancer undergo regular screening tests for colorectal cancer,' so your mid-forties are the age to get it done as soon as can be! And it's clear Couric wants her pals to get checked out, and stay healthy! We love a supportive friend who wants you to feel good! Best of SheKnows 18 Baking Soda-Free Natural Deodorants That Won't Irritate Your Sensitive Pits 24 Celebrities Living With Autoimmune Disorders 13 Celebs Who Battled Sex Addiction
