Georges Leconte, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem, underwent a routine colonoscopy as cameras followed him — from prep to procedure.
He hopes that by sharing his experience, he can erase some of the stigma surrounding the procedure, according to a March 15 news release shared with Becker's. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends people between the ages of 45 and 75 get routine colonoscopies to prevent colon cancer or catch it early.
"I agreed to document my colonoscopy experience on video to dispel some common myths and fears about colonoscopy," Mr. Leconte said. "Too many people in our community think it’s hard to prep for the procedure or that it's painful or embarrassing. I hope my experience encourages more New Yorkers, especially more Black men, to get screened. We owe it to ourselves and our loved ones."
The video of Mr. Leconte's experience is nearly four minutes long. It shows him preparing for the procedure by taking laxative pills and drinking polyethylene glycol in his home, then follows him throughout the procedure, from anesthesia to post-colonoscopy snacks.
Watch the full video here.