Katie Couric Recreates Sydney Sweeney Ad to Promote Colon Cancer Screening
AUSTIN, TX – Katie Couric parodied a recent American Eagle advertisement featuring actress Sydney Sweeney in a public service announcement released Friday, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of colon cancer screenings. The PSA, created in partnership with the Colon Cancer Alliance, features Couric recreating iconic scenes from Sweeney’s ad, but with a focus on the life-saving benefits of early detection.
The humorous approach seeks to destigmatize a vital, yet often avoided, health check.Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States,but is highly treatable when caught early. Couric’s personal connection to the disease – her first husband, Jay Monahan, died of colon cancer in 1998 – fuels her advocacy for preventative screenings.
The PSA references Couric’s widely-viewed 2000 televised colonoscopy on NBC’s “Today” show, a moment that dramatically increased public awareness of the procedure.In the new spot, Couric playfully adopts Sweeney’s poses and dialog, interweaving messages about the importance of regular screenings for those 45 and older.
“I’m a grandmother now,” Couric told People magazine. “I don’t want that to happen to other people. And so I think of him often, and think of other Jay Monahans that might be out there, whose lives I can potentially save with this information. So I feel such an obligation and a responsibility to do that.”
Couric was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022, but credits early detection through regular screenings with enabling triumphant treatment. She has been a long-time advocate for cancer research and preventative care. The Colon Cancer Alliance hopes the PSA will encourage more people to schedule screenings and learn about the risks and symptoms of the disease.
