The French comedian and actor Kyan Khojandi, who needs no introduction, will be the French voice of André Ricciardi in André is an Idiotat the cinema on Wednesday July 1. A documentary which retraces the end of the life of the famous Californian advertising man… and which invites everyone to be screened for colorectal cancer.
A more than “necessary” documentary
For actor Kyan Khojandi, the documentary “André is an Idiot” achieves a rare challenge: raising awareness about screening for a potentially fatal cancer… without ever giving up humor.
In this film released posthumously, we find the famous American advertising executive André Ricciardi – known for his caustic humor – who discovers that he has stage 4 colorectal cancer… and who tries to make fun of it. Even laughing about it.
However, nothing very funny about it. The producer could have lived much longer if he had carried out his screening earlier (a year before his diagnosis, a friend had suggested that André carry out this famous colorectal cancer screening. But, like many, he preferred to postpone the deadline).
A situation that immediately spoke to Kyan Khojandi.
“André said to himself, ‘No, I’m delaying, it’s not important.’ Even I have the feeling that I’m delaying things a little. However, it’s a cancer that can be cured if it’s caught early. It’s easily treated“, confides the actor to France Info.
When death and illness are approached with humor
Despite this incurable cancer, and its imminent end, advertising executive André Ricciardi decided never to feel sorry for himself. And this state of mind particularly affected comedian Kyan Khojandi.
“There’s a lot of joy and it’s a film that really makes you laugh. From the introduction, you’re carried away by laughter and you don’t know where you’re going.”
But this documentary does not forget its primary function: to invite everyone to be tested. “He decided to make this documentary which is very funny and necessary precisely to encourage people to do their screening.“, confirms the actor.
A more than essential message, given the figures: colorectal cancer still affects more than 47,500 French people each year and causes nearly 17,000 deaths, according to the National Cancer Institute. However, when diagnosed early, the chances of recovery are 90%…
A common cancer… but screening is still too often postponed
In more than 80% of cases, colorectal cancer develops from a polyp, a benign tumor that evolves slowly before becoming cancerous. It is precisely for this reason that screening can make all the difference: it makes it possible to identify these lesions before they degenerate or to detect cancer at a stage where treatments are most effective.
Despite this, many French people still postpone this test. Kyan Khojandi himself admits that he knew nothing about this illness before embarking on this adventure… and admits to having been touched by the advertiser’s resilience.
“I was impressed by André’s strength. This documentary is posthumous. And it’s a bit of a transmission. I said to myself that it was important. If ever a life is saved, it will always be a life saved and that’s what’s important”,
confides the actor.
Behind the jokes and the laughter, the film “André is an Idiot” reminds us that a test carried out on time can change a life.
Colorectal cancer: when and how to get screened?
From the age of 50, women and men are invited to consult their GP to assess their level of risk. During this consultation, the healthcare professional will determine whether the organized screening is suitable for the patient’s situation and explains the procedure to follow.
The test is simple, quick and 100% covered by Health Insurance, with no advance cost. Can be done at home, it consists of taking a small sample of stool using the screening kit.
Then, simply replace the rod in its airtight tube, close it and slide the tube into its protective bag then into the return envelope. The shipment must be made within 24 hours of collection, avoiding Saturdays and the day before a public holiday.
Results are generally available within a fortnight. They are sent to the patient as well as their doctor, by mail or directly online on the dedicated platform.
Colorectal cancer: when and how to get screened?
From the age of 50, both men and women are invited to be screened for colorectal cancer. But first, they must first make an appointment with their attending physician (who will determine whether the screening is suitable for their situation and will then explain to them the procedure to follow).
Then, once you have received the test at home – 100% covered by Health Insurance – simply follow these few steps:
- Stools must be collected using self-adhesive paper to stick on the toilet seat. Stools should not be in contact with a liquid (urine or bleach);
- You need to scrape the surface of the stool in several places with the green stick. This must be covered with its entire ribbed part;
- Then the tube must be closed. Shake it vigorously, date and stick the label and slip it into the protective bag then the return envelope (this contains the bag which contains the tube and the dated and completed identification sheet);
- Send the envelope no later than 24 hours after the test, avoiding Saturdays and the day before a public holiday.
The results will be available within 15 days to you and your doctor, by mail or online on the website www.resultat-depistage.fr.