Ryan Reynolds’ colon is cancer-free

Here's how to make sure yours is too.

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IN a nutshell It's Wednesday, which means you're either having an "It's already Wednesday?!" or an "It's only Wednesday?!" kind of day. We sincerely hope it's the former. Regardless, we hope it brightens your day to learn that actor buds Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have joined the fight against colon cancer in a story that eloquently weaves together soccer, the Welsh language, and colonoscopies. We explain how below. Other topics to look forward to in today's issue include: • how to really choose a dog when you have allergies (hint: it's not about the breed) • the lives being changed by Black Ariel • whether you should let your dog in your bed (plus your chance to weigh in!) Stay sharp, Ginger Wojcik Newsletter Editor, Healthline

Written by Ginger Wojcik September 28, 2022 • 5 min read

what's got us buzzing A friendly reminder from Ryan Reynolds to get your routine colonoscopy Actors and good pals Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney recently made a bet that may have saved their butts (literally). After becoming co-owners of the Welsh soccer team Wrexham AFC, Reynolds bet McElhenney he couldn't learn to speak Welsh. If he lost, McElhenney got to film Reynolds' upcoming colonoscopy. (Reynolds and McElhenney both turned 45 this year, the age recommended by the American Cancer Society (ACS) to start screening for colon cancer.) Impressively, McElhenney did learn Welsh. (Or at least the few lines of Welsh he speaks in their cheeky YouTube video about the ordeal.) So Reynolds honored his side of the bet and invited cameras into the procedure. Lo and behold, the colonoscopy did find a benign polyp in Reynolds' colon, which wouldn't have been found otherwise since it didn't produce any symptoms. "It was potentially lifesaving," said the doctor who did the procedure. "This is exactly why you do this." Colon cancer, aka colorectal cancer, is the third most common cancer diagnosed in the United States, according to the ACS. It's also the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in U.S. men and women. But undergoing routine screening can significantly reduce your risk. "A colonoscopy test is the gold standard test for the prevention of colon cancer," said one healthcare professional who appears in their video. "We think that colon cancer is a 100% preventable disease if healthy people get their periodic test." tl;dr: Ryan Reynolds recently lost a bet that ended in having his routine colonoscopy — the "gold standard test for the prevention of colon cancer" — being filmed by actor and friend Rob McElhenney. The procedure found a precancerous polyp. So, Reynolds and McElhenney are now spreading the word about the importance of screening for colon cancer, which is the third most common cancer diagnosed in the United States.

great finds Products we love       RUFFWEAR Roamer Bungee Dog Leash Picking up after your dog is a delicate task on its own. Doing it while holding onto your pooch's leash as they lunge after a stray french fry is downright dangerous. (To those of you with perfectly leash-trained pups, we're all very happy for you.) That's one of many scenarios that may be made easier by the RUFFWEAR Roamer Bungee Dog Leash, which can be attached around your waist for hands-free dog walking. The Roamer includes a section of stretch webbing, which gives the leash 2 extra feet of extension and shock absorption, making it good for activities like running and cycling. If you're into products that make dog parenting easier, this leash may be for you. Shop now

say what   Look who's talking "She's brown like me!" – the joyful reaction of a child watching actress Halle Bailey in the trailer for the new live-action "The Little Mermaid" movie     Since the trailer was released earlier this month, parents of Black kids have been filming their children's reactions when they first see that Ariel is Black. These viral, heart-melting videos are being held up as examples of how representation can help children and young people feel like they belong.

Wednesday Kick Start The myth of hypoallergenic dogs Along with "clean eating" and "foot detoxes," there's a new item to add to the health propaganda list: hypoallergenic dog breeds. Yep, turns out there's just no evidence that some dog breeds carry fewer allergens than others. First off, a dog allergy isn't actually a reaction to dog fur. It's a reaction to a handful of proteins found in their skin and saliva. Through grooming and skin shedding, these proteins end up on the dog's coat, and then all over every square inch of your life. So are there breeds that make fewer of these allergy-inducing proteins? The answer appears to be "no," according to this 2021 study. And a 2011 study found no difference in allergen levels in the homes of hypoallergenic dogs versus the homes of regular dogs. All that said, it's totally possible to be more or less allergic to certain dogs. On an individual basis, dogs produce different amounts of these allergens. And small dogs produce a lot fewer because, well, they're so smol. So in summary, shelling out thousands on a pure-bred dog isn't going to help your allergies. But scaling down to a chihuahua-sized companion just might.

health stories you need What we're reading next Can This Trending Pan Really Replace 8 Kitchen Tools? Ads for the Always Pan have been all over social media lately, but does it live up to the hype? Our friends at Greatist tried it to find out. It's Time to Talk About Skin Care as Healthcare, Not a Beauty Practice. There's nothing wrong with going after that *glow.* But as your body's biggest organ, your skin plays a crucial role in your overall health. Here's how to keep it in tip-top shape. Exercise in a Pill? Our muscles and bones benefit from exercise, but not everyone can get the exercise they need. Enter: new drug locamidazole.

you're up There are two types of dog owners in this world: those who let their dogs in bed and those who don't. The pro-dog-in-the-bed camp croons about how safe and cozy they feel next to their snoring fur baby, while the no-dogs-in-bed camp stands firm that no amount of cuddles is worth a bed perpetually covered in dog hair (and who knows what else). We know better than to take sides on something of this magnitude. So all we'll say is that it's safe to snooze alongside your pooch (in most cases). Just make sure the doggo isn't disrupting your precious sleep. We want to know: Which camp do you fall in? Do you sleep in bed with your dog? Shoot us an email at wellnesswire@healthline.com to let us know why or why not, then check back on Friday to see some of your responses!

Thanks for reading! We know you have approximately 785 newsletters sitting in your inbox, so it means a lot that you made it all the way through ours. We'll be back on Friday with more health nuggets you didn't know you needed.

Until next time, Take care of yourself, and we'll see you again soon!     This edition was powered by the warmth of my dog sleeping next to me, and my losing battle to occupy an equal share of the bed.   View in browser Did a friend send you this email? Subscribe here. To see all newsletters, click here. Privacy    |    Unsubscribe © 2022 Healthline Media 1423 Red Ventures Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29707