Former “TODAY” co-host Katie Couric shared a candid photo on Instagram of herself from her hospital bed alongside a care nurse on Wednesday, Jan. 21.
Although she went in for a routine colonoscopy, Couric’s doctor found three small polyps on the lining of her large intestine. “They were small, but they removed them,” she shared in a follow-up video on her Instagram Story, adding, “So this is why you all need to get screened.”
The 69-year-old shared a warning to those over the age of 45 in the caption of her initial Instagram post, urging anyone in that age range to get screened for colorectal cancer.
Katie Couric’s Health Warning Could Save Lives
“Hi friends. Getting ready for my colonoscopy. Just a reminder, if you’re 45 or over please get screened for colorectal cancer. And because there has been a very scary increase in cases among younger people, please be aware of symptoms: unexplained weight loss, change in bowel habits, blood in stools or toilet bowl, bloating,” she wrote.
“If you have a family history (first line relative) you need to get screened 10 years before that family member was diagnosed!!!!” Couric strongly urged.
She continued, “Scientists are trying to figure out why this is happening and there are [many] theories…I can do another interview about this if you’d like. Right now I’m too tired, thirsty and hungry to go into details but needless to say it’s incredibly upsetting. Wish me luck and please talk to your doctor if you haven’t been screened.”
Katie Couric’s Advocacy & the Find It Early Act
GettyThankfully, Couric’s screening helped to prevent the three polyps from becoming cancerous. According to Mayo Clinic, “Over time, some colon polyps can turn into colorectal cancer,” which can be “deadly when found in its later stages.” Rest assured, if detected early enough, polyps are considered to be “harmless.”
Couric has long advocated for early cancer detection. Her first husband, Jay Monahan, died in 1998 from colon cancer, leading her to establish the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance in 2000. In 2008, she and a courageous group of women founded Stand Up To Cancer with the intent to lead every cancer patient to become a long-term survivor, says the Stand Up To Cancer website.
After revealing in 2022 in a personal essay on Katie Couric Media that she was diagnosed with breast cancer, her passion for early detection advocacy led to a monumental shift in women’s health when she and two House representatives introduced the Find It Early Act, Congress.gov states.
The legislative proposal, which was first introduced in 2023, was reintroduced in 2025 by Couric and several House reps. If passed, the bill would require all health insurance plans to cover preventive screening, including diagnostic mammograms, breast ultrasounds and MRIs.
My guy was diagnosed last summer (at 65 – his first colonoscopy). He is in remission after 6 months of chemo. It was pretty scary. We are now both advocates for getting it early and as often as your doctor tells you to.
Agree!!! Thank the good Lord he is in remission…
Katie takes it up her arse. Good to know. Do not start a baby boys life with a torture session. Author-Jesus & the Unabomber