Ryan Reynolds loses bet, undergoes colonoscopy that may have saved his life when doctor finds polyp

When Ryan Reynolds and his “Welcome to Wrexham” co-star, Rob McElhenney, made a bet, they didn’t plan on potentially saving Reynolds’ life.

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Reynolds and McElhenney, who not only star in the television series but also own a soccer club together, made a bet that if McElhenney learned to speak Welsh, Reynolds would get a colonoscopy and allow it to be filmed.

“He was so sure he said he’d publicly broadcast his colonoscopy if I could do it,” McElhenney said in a clip while speaking Welsh that was translated into captions, according to People magazine.

Both actors turned 45 this year, and along with hitting the milestone, doctors suggest it is time for the routine, 30-minute test.

Reynolds’ doctor said he found an “extremely subtle polyp” on the right side of the actor’s colon, E! News reported.

“You did such a good prep that I was able to find an extremely subtle polyp that was on the right side of your colon,” Dr. Jon LaPook told Reynolds in a video that was posted to Instagram. “This was potentially life saving for you. I’m not kidding. I’m not being overly dramatic.”

During the procedure, the doctor said he removed the polyp, which if left alone, could have developed into cancer, USA Today reported.

McElhenney also went through the procedure. Doctors found three polyps and removed them.

Reynolds said the procedure itself wasn’t that bad.

“The procedure and prep were painless but the discomfort of filming and sharing the process was the hardest part,” he said, according to E! News.

The video was created in conjunction with Colorectal Cancer Alliance and the organization Lead from Behind, USA Today reported.

The American Cancer Society said colorectal cancer is the third-most common cancer in the U.S. and men have a 1-in-23 risk of developing it. Women have a 1-in-25 risk.

“Black Panther” actor Chadwick Boseman died of the disease in 2020 at the age of 43, USA Today reported.

Colon cancer: What you need to know (NCD)

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Through the years Actor Ryan Reynolds arrives at the premiere of the movie "National Lampoon's Van Wilder" April 1, 2002 in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Sebastian Artz/Getty Images) (Sebastian Artz/Getty Images)

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