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Katie Couric opened up about being the first person to ever have a colonoscopy done on television
 

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Katie promoting her latest project to advocate for colorectal cancerCredit: NBC
The journalist, who was a co-host on the morning show from 1991 to 2006, returned to continue her efforts to spread awareness for colon cancer.

In 2000, Katie became the first person in history to undergo a colonoscopy on television, as she was seen prepping for the procedure and getting it as well.

She showed how the procedure works to check for potential signs of cancer.

Katie’s late husband, John Monahan, died of colorectal cancer in 1998 at just 42 years old, inspiring her to spread awareness of early detection.

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On today’s episode, Katie continued her advocacy, as she said to Craig Melvin and Sheinelle Jones, “It’s crazy, it’s been 25 years, it’s something I’m really proud of.”

“Early detection saves lives,” Katie said while speaking on Today.

She revealed her new public service announcement to urge people to get screened for colon cancer, which she said was filmed with Ryan Reynolds’ production company.

The PSA was done in conjunction with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.

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Katie said that the CCA called her and said, “There’s this pop culture moment that really captured the public’s imagination.

“Why don’t we have a little fun with it? Everybody was talking about it, so why don’t we basically draft on that attention and use it to good use,” Katie said.

In the PSA, titled Lead From Behind, Katie is seen wearing a denim jacket and reclining, like Sydney Sweeney’s pose in the American Eagle ad which sparked some controversy.

The camera panned out to show that the journalist is actually lying on a procedure table with a doctor and a nurse standing by.

Katie, speaking to the camera, said, “Speaking of genes, did you know that the majority of people who develop colon cancer are not genetically predisposed to the disease. That’s why doctors recommend everyone 45 and older get checked.

“Mine are televised,”

A male voice-over comes on and said, “Katie Couric gets regular screenings, and if you’re 45 or older, you should too.”

At the end of the PSA, one of the nurse asked Katie, “Can your camera crew back off please?,” to which the veteran journalist smiled and replied, “No.”

After the PSA, Craig asked Katie if more people had gotten screened since she first had hers done on TV 25 years ago.

“Yes, I think that awareness has been increased, and you’ve done a lot, so much for that. Craig, so thank you for that, because of your brother [who also died of colon cancer].

“But still, we have miles to go before we sleep, there are so many people who don’t get screened, 30% of all adults who should be getting screened are not screened, and the American Cancer Society lowered the screening age to 45 a few years ago, but only 20% of people between the ages of 45 and 49 are getting screened,” she said.

The journalist said the screening age is lower if you have a family history of it as well.

Also appearing this week was former host Hoda Kotb to promote her motivational book.

LIFE UPDATE

Katie opened up about being an independent journalist these days, and touched on the media company she and her husband launched seven years ago.

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“We’re doing podcasts, I’m on sub stack. I just interviewed Ben Meiselas from the Midas Touch network yesterday, and I do a weekly show on sub stack.”

“We have about 40 people on our team, and I’m keeping busy, and I love being an independent journalist, no offense, NBC, but it’s nice to be able to say what I want to say,” she added.

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Katie launched her own production company seven years ago with her husbandCredit: Reuters
 

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Katie Couric left the Today Show in 2006 and is now an independent journalistCredit: Getty
 

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The veteran journalist, here with Al Roker and Matt Lauer, launched a PSA on colon cancer awarenessCredit: Getty