Remembering Eartha Kitt: What Her Colon Cancer Story Can Teach Us About Screening

The news

Eartha Kitt — the singer, dancer, and actress whose seven-decade career ranged from "Santa Baby" and "C'est Si Bon" to playing Catwoman on the 1960s Batman series — died on December 25, 2008, at her home in Connecticut. She was 81. News reports at the time confirmed that the cause was colon cancer, which she had been diagnosed with in her final years and had received treatment for in New York.

Kitt was still performing into her eighties, and public accounts describe her working and singing until close to the end of her life. That is the public record, and this piece stays within it.

Why people are talking about it

Eartha Kitt remains a cultural icon — Orson Welles once famously called her "the most exciting woman in the world" — and her story continues to reach new generations through her music and film work. When someone so full of life dies of colon cancer, it often prompts a quiet, personal question in readers: should I be thinking about this for myself?

That question deserves a calm, factual answer rather than fear.

What this cancer means

Colorectal cancer is cancer that begins in the colon or rectum, the last portions of the digestive system. According to the National Cancer Institute, it often begins as a growth called a polyp inside the colon or rectum — and finding and removing polyps can actually prevent colorectal cancer from developing in the first place.

That is what makes this cancer unusual among major cancers: screening doesn't just find it early, it can often stop it before it starts. Because polyps typically take years to develop into cancer, there is a real window of opportunity — but only for people who get screened.

Awareness, screening & prevention

NCI notes that screening tests can detect colorectal cancer and polyps, and that several test options exist — from stool-based tests to colonoscopy. In the United States, routine screening is generally recommended for adults starting at age 45, with the right test and schedule depending on personal and family history. You can read more in our plain-language guide to colorectal cancer screening, and our free screening check-up tool can show which screenings are generally recommended at your age.

It's also worth knowing the symptoms that deserve medical attention at any age: a persistent change in bowel habits, blood in the stool, ongoing abdominal discomfort, or unexplained weight loss. These symptoms usually have other causes — but they are always worth a conversation with a healthcare professional.

Common questions

Is colon cancer only a concern for older adults? Most cases are diagnosed in people over 50, but rates in younger adults have been rising, which is one reason U.S. screening now generally begins at 45 for people at average risk.

Can colon cancer really be prevented? Often, yes — NCI states plainly that finding and removing polyps can prevent colorectal cancer. That is the core promise of screening.

Does a family history change things? It can. People with a close relative who had colorectal cancer may need to start screening earlier or be screened more often — a healthcare team can advise on the right plan.

Questions to ask a healthcare team

• At what age should I start colorectal cancer screening, given my history?
• Which screening test makes sense for me, and how often?
• Do any symptoms I've noticed need a closer look?
• Does my family history mean I should be screened earlier?