Actor and host Terry Crews is normally all smiles and joking around on set or in front of a camera. But recently, he stopped the fooling around to get serious about his health. He underwent an actual colonoscopy while reprising his character from 2006’s Idiocracy in a new campaign for Lead From Behind, which is powered by the Colorectal Cancer Alliance to raise awareness that colon cancer is preventable. During the procedure, Terry’s doctor found potentially cancerous polyps in his system.
As seen in a video released on July 25, Terry—dressed in President Camacho’s patriotic costume—visited his physician for an examination. “I came for the future to get the best care now, so that I can live forever,” the 54-year-old explained. “I am the president, Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew—not Mountain Don’t. And today, I’m about to Mountain do-do.”
He added, “My ass is about to be clean as glass!”
Indeed, the doctor did a very thorough job. After Crews awoke from the 25-minute procedure, he was informed that several polyps that could potentially turn cancerous were removed from his body.
“I’ve partnered with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance and Lead From Behind because together we can prevent unnecessary suffering from the preventable cancer,” Crews said in a statement. “The outrageous persona of President Camacho demands the attention this cause deserves. Reprising this role felt like the perfect way to continue to raise awareness and encourage people to get screened.”
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Black Men and Colon Cancer
Excluding skin cancers, the American Cancer Society stated that colon cancer is the third-most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women across the country, with nearly 107,000 new cases estimated for 2023.
And according to the American Cancer Society, African Americans have statistically higher risk for cancers in the colon and rectum: The highest rate of death and the shortest rate of survival for colorectal cancer. 40% more likely than other groups to die from colon cancers.
“Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer in the country,” said Durado Brooks, M.D. vice president of prevention and early detection at the American Cancer Society. “This disease is ravaging the Black community, and it is as important as ever that everyone has access to and is receiving the recommended screenings. Even during the coronavirus pandemic, necessary screening tests remain available to prevent the disease or find it at an early, more treatable stage.”
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Screening can often prevent colorectal cancer by finding and removing growths called polyps in the colon and rectum, before they have a chance to become cancer. Screening can also find colorectal cancer early, when it is still small, hasn’t spread, and is likely to be easier to treat.
The American Cancer Society now recommends that people at average risk of colorectal cancer begin regular screening at age 45.
People at higher risk for colorectal cancer should talk with their doctor about whether starting screening earlier might be right for them. This includes people with:
