Harry Smith's On-Air Colonoscopy

(CBS)  Colon cancer, according to the American Cancer Society, is the second-leading cause of death in the U.S. from cancer with more than 50,000 deaths each year.

With that in mind, "Early Show" co-anchor Harry Smith decided to have a colonoscopy live on the broadcast Wednesday to raise awareness of this deadly disease.

Harry's Colonoscopy
Inside Colonoscopy Screenings
Video: Full Coverage of Harry Smith's Colonoscopy

"CBS Evening News" anchor Katie Couric joined Smith at the New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center's Monahan Center for his initial screening.

But before the live colonoscopy at hospital, Couric introduced him to the Monahan Center, which is named after her late husband Jay Monahan.

Smith noted that he couldn't have taken his on-air colonoscopy journey without the example set by Couric, who did the same thing on television in 2000 after her husband's death from colon cancer.

Monahan was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1997.

Couric told Smith about dealing with her husband's illness, saying, "We went from place to place. He had to have some radiology, and he had to actually get some treatment for his eyes. He had to get his chemo of course."

The couple struggled to find treatment options. At the age of 42, Jay lost his battle with colon cancer.

Couric said, "There's got to be a better way, a more compassionate, comprehensive way to treat people going through this hell, which it was."

Smith explained out of Couric's loss came a commitment to establish a center in her husband's honor to help families deal with prevention, screening, treatment and support.

Couric said, "As I have watched my daughters develop into really fine people, I always think Jay would be so proud of the people that they've become. And he's missed so much and that's really why I established this center. I don't want other dads or moms ... to miss their children's growing up."

Smith remarked that he experienced some of Couric's vision at his initial screening at the Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health.

And Couric, who famously experienced a filmed colonoscopy in 2000, seems to have had an impact on viewers. Following her screening, researchers documented a 20 percent increase in the number of colonoscopies and dubbed it "The Couric Effect."

Couric stopped by the hospital to provide some moral support during Smith's initial screening -- and give him a bad time.

While he drank a laxative to help him prep for his screening, she joked, "Bottoms up, so to speak. I got a million of 'em Harry."

Smith replied, "Let the games begin."

Couric added on "The Early Show" the prep laxatives are often the most challenging part of the screening. However, in comparison to a colon cancer diagnosis, she said it's a lot better.

"This is a very easy way to prevent it," she said.

Couric continued, "Nothing breaks my heart more than hearing from people who say they were diagnosed with colon cancer because I know they're saying to themselves, 'If only. If only I had gotten screened, then I wouldn't be in this situation.' And that's what we're really trying to educate people about today."

Click here for more information on colorectal cancer and screening.

[abqndn]

This morning I while channel surfing, I was reminded as to why I don?t watch the Early Show. I stopped for a moment to see what Harry Smith had to say of gardening. Instead of being informative, Harry Smith said to the black person, ?If you want to plant an herb garden, you want to make sure they?re legal herbs, not the other kind of?what?? The black person then laughed because he cannot believe Harry?s ignorant and racist remark. That comment was totally uncalled for and displays a lack of class and professionalism of ABC, Harry, and the Early Show.

[zulushooter]

I work in a hospital and supervise a lot of medical professionals, nurses, pharmacists etc...people who should know that they need to get screened. Out of 50 people in my group, all are over 50 or over 40 with a family history of colon cancer...basically everyone is eligible to get a colonoscopy. Out of 50, only 6 had been screened. When our secretary was diagnosed with colon cancer at 47, I decided to get screened. I announced at a staff meeting that I was getting a colonoscopy next week right in out hospital (some called it a brain scan) and invited anyone who thought that the test was a big deal to watch mine. I was surprized to see that 4 nurses showed up to watch. Embarassing? Not really; I was too busy trying to relax (no sedation) and watch the screen. Nobody laughed and several polyps were removed. Those can only become cancer. Within a month, 3 of the 4 observers got screened, one has a precancerous condition and the colonoscopy saved her life. Within a year, about 25 of our group got screened. Colonoscopy isn't a joke, get it done and don't die from embarassment. I have to get yearly ones and if I can do it without sedation (I find the amnesia distressing and I like to drive myself home), then you have no excuse not to get one. Once in a while someone walks up to me in the hospital and askes me if I'm the guy who let 4 nurses watch his colonoscopy; I say yes and if they laugh I tell them that we had 2 people who got screened from our group who had cancer or a precancerous condition-colonoscopy saved their lives. And this was a small group of only 28 who got screened. I'm normally fairly shy, but if letting 4 nurses watch me get scoped saves 2 people from getting colon cancer, I'll do it any day.

[SEKull]

I have nothing but respect for Mr. Smith. It takes alot of strength and courage to have any medical procedure done on air. I can olny think of all the lives he has saved by buy having this done. He was able to to put any lingering doubts and 'but I don't knows' at ease so Others will be able to go ahead with this procedure and improve their health and possibly their lives. Props to you Harry!!!!

[robinfr2009]

On any given day, Harry Smith is hard to take. His toneless, droning voice, and his incessant, "yeah, uh huh, right" as he interrupts the person he is interviewing are extremely annoying. But, airing his colonoscopy is just plain gross!! If I can't stand his voice and his demeanor, I sure don't want to see his insides! CBS, you have gone too far! Not everything has to be aired!

[bobertbobert]

What a weird piece; Harry Smith non-stop smiling; Couric non-stop smiling. He seemed zoned out like he was on tranquilizers and she acted like she wished it was going up her rectum. My guess: Katie is desparate to boost her image and Harry? He wouldn't stop smilling; I've not seen him like that before now; creepy!

[kelmybell]

My dad died of colon cancer this year. I he would have had a colonoscopy at age 50 as recommended or even at age 60 he might still be here. He waited until he had problems before his first one. As the Dr. stated you have to be proactive in your healthcare. I had my first colonoscopy at age 40. Granted mine went well and I thought it was an easy exam. Obviously not everyone is the same as can be expected. I paid $45.00 dollars for my prep kit, $75.00 for my biopsies and about $175.00 towards my deductable. Not a lot of money for a great piece of mind.....

[B4Uknowit]

Shame on Katie--or maybe, that's just who she is. Comments like asking Dave Price if they found his head when he had his colonoscopy and telling Harry that she was wearing a face mask because she was "in the splash zone" are apalling to me. Harry was making a huge personal sacrafice to further sn important cause that is supposed to be dear to her hart, and she has to make a comment like that while he is completely volnerable. That's awful. And what did Dave Price ever do to deserve a comment like that. Maybe it's Katie who needs to find where her head is!

[WitchBroom]

I also found it be highly distateful, uncalled for and unprofessional. These sorts of her on-air ettiquette leave a lot to be desired.

[extremophil]

The white coat was a nice touch for Katie. I guess she was ready to take charge in case of an emergency.

[angel3029]

harry i had mine done on january 14 2010, I'm glad I did they found polyp's and remove then so now I feel better knowning there will be no cancer there. great good. south bend Indiana

[092384]

My thanks to both Harry and Katie for keeping this horrible disease in the news. I lost my mother to it 16 years ago and I now have had colonoscopies every 5 years since I turned 40. Please people, pay attention to this!!