As much as we'd like to pretend it doesn't exist, cancer is all around us. It kills hundreds of thousands of people each year and those who survive are often left to pick up the pieces of their life physically, emotionally, and financially.

According to the American Cancer Society, one of the most common types of cancer is colorectal cancer. Rates of colon cancer are declining thanks to an increase in screening, but it's still an incredibly prevalent disease.

Photo: YouTube/Ryan Reynolds

In fact, the organization reports that colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States - not even celebrities can escape its wrath.

We sometimes like to put celebrities on a pedestal, but the truth is that they're susceptible to the same difficulties in life as the rest of us, including cancer.

Photo: YouTube/Ryan Reynolds

Recently, Ryan Reynolds came out and spoke about his experience with cancer screening and a potentially life-saving surgery he had to undergo, and it's all thanks to a bet.

In a video shared on YouTube, Reynolds explained that he lost a bet to Rob McElhenney and as a result, he had to share his experience getting his first colonoscopy. He and Rob McElhenney ended up partnering with Lead From Behind to share their experiences with the potentially life-saving procedure.

Photo: YouTube/Ryan Reynolds

Reynolds' surgeon ended up finding something during the colonoscopy that could've been life-threatening if left untreated. Reynolds had no symptoms and likely wouldn't have caught the polyp until it was too late.

He's encouraging everyone to get screened for colon cancer through a colonoscopy at the recommended age: 45.

Check out the full video below: