News Anchor’s On-Air Colonoscopy Aims to Take Fear Away, Encourage Screenings
Kevin Doran, anchor for WROC-TV News 8, is inviting his audience to follow him through the process of his colonoscopy, in the hope of encouraging others to have the screening that can potentially save lives.
Doran will have the procedure on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at UR Medicine’s Gastroenterology Suite. Beginning with the 4 p.m. broadcast, viewers will see Kevin during his preparation for the procedure and look in as Doran speaks with his gastroenterologist, Thomas E. Werth, M.D.
The actual procedure is expected to begin around 5 p.m. As it progresses, Doran’s co-anchor, Maureen McGuire, will check in live during the exam, accompanied by Vivek Kaul, M.D., who will describe the procedure as it is under way. Kaul is chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at UR Medicine’s Strong Memorial Hospital.
“We are deeply grateful for Kevin’s enthusiasm in wanting to spread the word that colonoscopies save lives,” said Kaul. “His courage in allowing people to witness something so personal will go a long way toward demonstrating that this is a relatively simple and painless procedure and an important step that people should take when their primary care doctor advises them to do so. Many people fear the preparation and the test but Kevin’s experience will help his viewers understand that it’s a minor inconvenience when you consider that it could prevent you from a life-threatening cancer.”
Colon cancer—the second most common cause of cancer deaths in the U.S.—is a cancer that is entirely preventable if it’s detected at an early stage. The way to do that is with a colonoscopy: a procedure with a dual purpose for many.
Colonoscopies not only allow doctors to examine the colon and rectum, they provide the chance to remove growths known as polyps. While most polyps are benign, they are how most colorectal cancers start. Regular screening can often find colorectal cancer early, when it is most likely to be curable. In many cases, screening can also prevent colorectal cancer altogether.
The timing of Doran’s procedure comes just before the start of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March. Screening recommendations vary based on a person’s health and family history, but, in general, men and women are urged to have their first screening colonoscopy at age 50.
For more information about colon cancer screening, click here or call (585) 275 4711 or (585) 276-6666.
If you do not have health insurance or your plan does not cover colonoscopies, contact URMC's Cancer Services Program of Monroe County at (585) 224-3070.