10 Years After Katie Couric's Colonoscopy: What You Need to Know

It's been 10 years since Katie Couric courageously underwent a live colonoscopy on the "Today" show -- an effort to encourage screening after her husband died of colon cancer in 1998.

Millions watched and learned that the procedure is relatively easy and painless -- leading to a 20 percent spike in colonoscopies in the years that followed.

So where are we now, and what should we know about colon cancer a decade later?

To find out, we spoke to Michael Kreines, MD, a gastroenterologist with the Ohio Gastroenterology and Liver Institute and Member of the Medical Science Advisory Committee for the Colon Cancer Alliance.

"The good that Katie did for the cause of colorectal cancer prevention is enormous," Kreines says. "Katie jump-started what has become almost a fad of acceptance for people to have their colonoscopies. Many lives have been saved by people inspired by Katie's live demonstration that a colonoscopy is not uncomfortable or embarrassing."

Despite all of this progress, we still have a long way to go. According to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control, half of colorectal cases are still being diagnosed in the late stages. This is a huge bummer, because if found in the early stages, colon cancer has a survival rate of over 90 percent.

Here are 5 things you should know about colon cancer -- and how to prevent it:

Women are just as at risk as men. "The risk of colon cancer is mainly related to age (the older you are, the higher the risk) and genetics," says Kreines. "Having a family member with colon cancer increases your risk, especially if one's parents or siblings are affected."

Colonoscopies do not hurt. Dr. Kreines promises! You are sedated throughout the procedure and won't feel a thing.

A healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk. According to Kreines, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, eating a high-fiber diet, limiting red meat and not smoking all slightly lower your risk -- though not nearly enough to eliminate the need for colonoscopies at the appropriate time. Taking a daily baby aspirin also reduces colon cancer risk, but it does have some side effects (bleeding and ulcers), so talk to your doctor first.

Start screening at 50 -- or sooner. Women should have their first screening at age 50. However, if you have any symptoms -- such as blood in your stool or changes in bathroom habits -- you should see your doc ASAP and consider an earlier examination. "If you have a parent or sibling who was diagnosed with colon cancer or precancerous polyps, begin at age 40 or 10 years younger than the age at diagnosis of the family member," says Kreines.

Don't be embarrassed! "The embarrassment factor has essentially been eliminated by the general acceptance of colonoscopy as an important preventative health exam and by the professional nature of the doctors and nurses performing the exam," says Kreines. "Come to maintain your health, and feel free to bring a sense of humor."

For more information visit finditfirst.com. Learn about screenings and risk factors -- and take a pledge to be screened or send a reminder to a family member. For each pledge made on the site, Olympus will donate a dollar to the Colon Cancer Alliance and the Colorectal Cancer Coalition.

We took the pledge (and nudged a few loved ones). Did you?