Will Smith's Doctor Removes Pre-Cancerous Polyp during His First Colonoscopy since Turning 50

Will Smith reveals his shock in learning he had pre-cancerous tissues following his first standard colonoscopy. In his vlog documenting the procedure, he says he thought it was just going to be "fun."

Leave it to Will Smith to use humor to promote a serious health discussion. One that ultimately saved his life.

Smith vlogged about his first colonoscopy where his doctor discovered he had a precancerous polyp.

Prior to the procedure, Smith's 17-minute video featured him in his hospital gown as he made his way to the colonoscopy room. It is a standard requirement for adults who turn 50 to undergo this procedure as a safety precaution. Smith, who turned 51 in September, used his first time to educate his followers.

Smith confessed that he began his vlog thinking it was a fun way of documenting his first colonoscopy. But reflecting on the seriousness of what was discovered in his colon, he sincerely thanked his doctor for urging him to do the procedure.

SMITH'S FUNNY TAKE ON HIS PROCEDURE

Smith’s vlog is peppered with his brand of humor which makes it quite a delight to watch. He shakes his head with worry before the procedure and whispers to the camera, "My (bleep) is gonna be out.”

He soon gets a dose of anesthesia that sends him to deep sleep as he’s wheeled away. In his grogginess after the procedure, he manages to say,

"I haven't done many drugs in my life, so, this stuff works on me really well. I feel like I have to poop. Do I have to poop? Or was there a camera up my a-- that's giving me the sensation?"

WHEN THINGS TURNED SERIOUS

What was unknown to Smith prior to his colonoscopy was there was a polyp in his colon that could have potentially threatened his life. Luckily, his doctor spotted it during the procedure and removed it in time.

“You would've had fewer typical symptoms. And by the time you presented, it could be full-blown and spread throughout your body,” Stanford told Smith.

Smith was shocked to learn from the succeeding lab test on the polyp that it was a tubular adenoma that carried precancerous tissues, the same kind of tissues that result in colon cancer 95% of the time.

Will certainly had a lucky break according to his doctor, Dr. Ala Stanford. She supposed that if the actor hadn’t done his colonoscopy, symptoms of what would have eventually played out as colon cancer would take longer to present itself.

“You would've had fewer typical symptoms. And by the time you presented, it could be full-blown and spread throughout your body,” Stanford told Smith.

SMITH'S REALIZATION

Due to this development, Stanford advised Smith to undergo a colonoscopy every two to three years instead of the standard 10-year interval.

Smith confessed that he began his vlog thinking it was a fun way of documenting his first colonoscopy. But reflecting on the seriousness of what was discovered in his colon, he sincerely thanked his doctor for urging him to do the procedure.

Watch Smith’s full vlog below.

JENNIFER GARNER DOCUMENTS ANOTHER STANDARD PROCEDURE

Smith is one of several celebrities who’ve been very transparent about their health check-ups including Jennifer Garner. In a video last month, the mother-of-three documented her mammogram appointment to promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Garner shared that she had a “standing date” for a mammogram every October and was pleased to learn that this year’s check-up revealed everything was in perfect condition.

She urged her followers to look past their fears and make an appointment for early detection and prevention.