Our own Dr. Aja McCutchen took center stage on the Sherri Shepherd Show during Colon Cancer Awareness Month to spotlight the dangers posed by the disease – the third most common cancer worldwide, with over 1.9 million cases annually – and what you can do to stay healthy. In a lively and candid conversation with host Sherri Shepherd, Dr. McCutchen urged viewers to prioritize early detection and open dialogue.
She highlighted how celebrities like Will Smith, who vlogged his 2019 colonoscopy revealing a precancerous polyp, are helping normalize these discussions. “Social media is breaking the stigma,” she noted, calling colonoscopies “the best booty call you can ever make.” She emphasized colon cancer’s reputation as a “silent killer” due to its lack of early symptoms, making screening vital – especially as it is now the leading cancer killer for men under 50 and second for women under 50.
The segment covered key warning signs, including changes in bowel habits, persistent abdominal pain, and unintentional weight loss. Dr. McCutchen stressed knowing your family history and the power of early detection, noting a 90 percent five-year survival rate for stage one diagnoses, which drops dramatically in later stages. She also clarified the difference between colonoscopies – medical procedures that detect and prevent cancer – and colonics, a non-diagnostic spa treatment.
Offering practical advice, Dr. McCutchen encouraged viewers to ask their doctors three key questions:
- What does my bowel movement mean?
- Does my family history matter?
- What are my options?
She also shared dietary tips, advocating for a “rainbow” plate of 30+ plants weekly (think berries, broccoli, and kimchi) while limiting red meat and processed foods to reduce risk.
“Despite the American Cancer Society lowering the screening age to 45, only 20 percent of 45-to 49-year-olds have been tested,” Dr. McCutchen warned. “We have a huge opportunity to improve this narrative.”
Her appearance underscored United Digestive’s mission to empower patients with knowledge and access to expert care.
Watch the full segment here.
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