The PSAs, which premiered on Katie!, are the latest collaboration between the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance (EIF’s NCCRA), co-founded by Katie Couric, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the CDC’s Screen for Life: National Colorectal Cancer Action Campaign.

This initiative is a multi-year effort to educate Americans about the importance of regular colorectal cancer screening for men and women age 50 and over.

Streep is one of the world’s most renowned actors, having won three Academy Awards as well as multiple Golden Globe, British Academy of Film and Television Arts, and Screen Actors Guild awards, in addition to Primetime Emmys and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute. She is the third Oscar-winning actor to appear in the Screen for Life campaign, along with Morgan Freeman and Diane Keaton.

Of cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, taking the lives of more than 50,000 Americans every year. Yet the disease is highly preventable through screening. Screening can detect pre-cancerous growths called polyps that can be removed before they develop into colorectal cancer. Screening can also detect colorectal cancer at an early stage, when treatment is most effective.

Streep explains these benefits of screening in the PSA, titled Control, adding that, “For me, screening was simple and quick. It was no big deal, except for the huge sense of relief you feel afterwards.”

The colorectal cancer death rate has declined steadily for several years. According to the CDC, half of this decrease can be attributed to more people getting screened. Despite that progress, one third of U.S. adults age 50 and over are still not up to date with recommended screening.

The CDC considers Screen for Life one of the most effective campaigns it has undertaken to encourage screening.

Streep said she was motivated to get screened after seeing Katie Couric’s efforts on TV to educate the public about screening’s life-saving value, and encouraged her family members to do the same. “I made my husband get screened, I made my brothers get screened…I made everyone I love get screened,” she said. “It’s important to get the word out; people should know how easy it is to go through the procedure that can detect polyps and early cancer.”

“Time and again, we’ve seen that celebrities can bring much-needed attention to the need for colorectal cancer screening, as they have done so successfully with this campaign. ‘Icon’ is overused, but Meryl Streep truly is an American — and worldwide — icon. She is an ideal ambassador to convey that screening saves lives, and we are profoundly grateful for her support,” said NCCRA co-founder Katie Couric.

EIF’s NCCRA has collaborated on CDC’s Screen for Life campaign since 2004, producing broadcast and print PSAs featuring award-winning actors Morgan Freeman, Diane Keaton, Jimmy Smits, and Terrence Howard, as well as print PSAs and out-of-home dioramas featuring EIF’s NCCRA co-founder Katie Couric.

For more information or to view the PSA, visit CDC’s Screen for Life Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/screenforlife or the EIF Web site at http://www.eifoundation.org.

For more information about colorectal cancer screening and prevention, contact CDC’s Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP), which funds 25 states and 4 tribes to help increase colorectal cancer screening rates. Call 1-800-CDC-INFO, or visit http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/crccp/about.htm.

To join the conversation regarding colorectal cancer, like us on Facebook at @NationalColorectalCancerResearchAlliance or follow us on Twitter at @EIF_NCCRA.

About EIF’s NCCRA

The Entertainment Industry Foundation’s National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance (EIF’s NCCRA) has raised over $33 million to fund colorectal cancer research, promote colorectal cancer screening, and support gastrointestinal care. EIF’s NCCRA was co-founded in March of 2000 by journalist Katie Couric, cancer activist Lilly Tartikoff, and the Entertainment Industry Foundation.

About CDC

CDC works 24/7 saving lives, protecting people from health threats, and saving money through prevention. Whether these threats are global or domestic, chronic or acute, curable or preventable, natural disaster or deliberate attack, CDC is the nation’s health protection agency.

Russ Weakland

Is Jennifer Lawrence getting a little big for her boots? As she accepted the award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical for her part in Silver Linings Playbook, she said “I beat Meryl,” referring to her opponent Meryl Streep, who was nominated for her part in Hope Springs. And Hollywood’s biggest trainwreck Lindsay Lohan has called her out for it!

Jennifer Lawrence Disses Meryl Streep

Jennifer is one of the hottest young actresses around — at only 22-years-old she’s been nominated for an Oscar TWICE. On Jan. 10 she received her second Academy Award nomination for her part in Silver Linings Playbook, and if her success at the Golden Globes is anything to go by, she is a shoo in for the win on Feb. 24!

When collecting her Golden Globe from Will Ferrel and Kristen Wiig, Jennifer’s first words were “What does it say? I beat Meryl!”. Was this a diss, or was Jennifer just shocked to have beat the most victorious actress ever? Jennifer may have two Oscar noms, but acting legend Meryl has been nominated a whopping SEVENTEEN times, and has won three times. That is more noms and wins than any other actor in history. Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Jennifer!

Somehow I doubt Meryl — who did not attend the ceremony — is crying tears over the diss, as she has eight Golden Globe trophies at home to keep her warm at night. And how many does Jennifer have? Oh yes, just one.

And it looks like Lindsay is not impressed with Jennifer’s diss! She tweeted “Words cannot express how much I LOVE Kristen Wiig. And no1 should ever mess with a legend, such as Meryl Streep.” Take that Jennifer! There is nothing like being taken down by the badass that is Lindsay, who like Meryl, has several Oscars. LOL — I am clearly kidding.

It appears that Jennifer probably was kidding, as she was most likely referring to the 1996 film The First Wives Club, where Bette Midler‘s character Brenda picks up Goldie Hawn‘s character Elise’s award and says the same line about beating Meryl. Poor Meryl just can’t catch a break!

Jennifer Thanks Harvey Weinstein

While not busy dissing Meryl, Jennifer also thanked the film’s producer Harvey Weinstein: “I am so honored to be in a film like this…Harvey thank you for killing whoever you had to kill to get me up here today.”

For the full list of winners, click here.

What do YOU think, HollywoodLifers? Was Jennifer dissing Meryl, or just she surprised she beat her? Was Lindsay right to call her out?

WATCH: Jennifer Lawrence Disses Meryl Streep At The Golden Globes!

– Eleanore Hutch

More Golden Globe News:

1. Golden Globe Awards 2013 Live Stream — Watch Here
2. 2013 Golden Globes Awards — Join Our Live Chat Right Here
3. 2013 Golden Globes Beauty: The Hottest Hair & Makeup

The highlight of the night was when Viola Davis received The Crystal Award for Excellence in Film which was presented by the legend that is Meryl Streep.

“Honestly there is quite a lot more that I want to do in my career. An endless amount of goals that I want to accomplish!” the humble and beautiful Viola Davis told reporters at the 2012 Crystal + Lucy Awards before grabbing her award.

Also another wonderful moment of the night was the entire red carpet. It sparkled with Swarovski jewels and accessories, as actresses showed off Max Mara couture. Guests sipped on Red Bull cocktails and one lucky guest at each table won the Swarovski Nirvana Ring that accented the floral centerpieces.

So HollywoodLifers, it was a wonderful time had by all in support of a wonderful cause near and dear to many people. Sound off below on your thoughts about Women In Film!

Russ Weakland

Follow @mrsandwich96

Raising a family in Tinseltown is hard work — just ask any celebrity. But when you’re an A-lister like Julia Roberts, who do you turn to for parenting advice? The daughter of acting legend Meryl Streep, of course! In a new interview with Vanity Fair, Pretty Woman Julia reveals that Meryl’s middle daughter, Grace Gummer, reassured her that growing up a child of Hollywood is no big deal!

It all started when Mirror Mirror star Julia met the Meryl look-alike on the set of Larry Crowne. Grace, who grew up on film sets, was reminded of her own upbringing seeing her co-star’s children visiting their famous mama at work. Realizing what a valuable resource Grace was, Julia didn’t hesitate to ask the 25-year-old what it was like having the one-and-only Meryl Streep for a mom.

“Grace comes up and goes, ‘Gosh, it’s so sweet seeing all your kids on the set,” the 44-year-old recalls. “She said, ‘It reminds me of when I was little, and I would go see my mom at work.’ I asked, ‘Were you happy?’ Suddenly, I thought, here is a source of information. I said, ‘How old were you when you realized your mom was Meryl Streep?’ She said, ‘I think I was probably nine when I put that all together.’ I said, ‘Were you cool with it?’ She said, ‘Yeah, it was fine. There was no trauma.’ So that was hopeful.”

Julia’s three adorable tots with hubby Danny Moder — twins Hazel and Phinnaeus, 7, and Henry, 4 — have yet to understand what it means to have a celebrity for a mom, but no doubt she’ll do whatever it takes to give her kids the most normal upbringing possible!

Isn’t it nice to see a movie star like Julia putting her family first, HollywoodLifers?

– Josh Rosenblatt

More Julia Roberts:

1. Lily Collins’s ‘Mirror Mirror’ Release Moved Closer To Kristen Stewart’s ‘Snow White’
2. Check Out A Rare Glimpse Of Julia Roberts’ Kids! Wow, The Twins Are All Grown Up!
3. ‘Toddlers & Tiaras’ Preview: Three-Year-Old Dresses Like A Hooker: Are You Shocked?

Congratulations to Meryl Streep — who won the Oscar for best actress at the Academy Awards!

“When they called my name, I had this feeling I could hear half of America go ‘Oh no, come on. Why her? Again?’ But whatever,” Meryl joked.

LIST: More Oscar Winners 2012

Meryl, who took home the award for her role as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady, is perpetually nominated but never seems to get the gold. But this year was her year again!

Meryl’s last win was in 1983 for Sophie’s Choice. She also won in 1980 for Kramer Vs. Kramer.

Aren’t you glad to see Meryl win again, HollywoodLifers?

More Oscars:

1. Oscars Red Carpet 2012 — George Clooney, Jessica Chastain & More
2. Sacha Baron Cohen Dumps Ashes On Ryan Seacrest At The Oscars
3. 2012 Academy Award Winners — See The Full List

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards were held on Feb. 12 at the Royal Opera House in London, and as the last film awards ceremony before the Oscars, they draw a HUGE amount of international attention. Check out all of the winners and tell us, HollywoodLifers — which actors and films were most deserving of victory?

Best Picture:

The Artist

Best Director:

Michel Hazanavicius – The Artist

Best Actor:

Jean Dujardin – The Artist

Best Actress:

Meryl Streep – The Iron Lady

Best Supporting Actress:

Octavia Spencer – The Help

Best Supporting Actor:

Christopher Plummer – Beginners

Best Adapted Screenplay:

Bridget O’Connor & Peter Straughan – Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Best Original Screenplay:

Michel Hazanavicius – The Artist

More BAFTAs:

1. BAFTA Awards Red Carpet 2012 — Pics Of Michelle Williams, Christina Hendricks & More
2. BAFTA Awards Best Of Beauty: Michelle Williams, Kristen Wiig & More

Mothers like Gisele Bundchen and former Dancing With The Stars contestant Ricki Lake brought their babies’ delivery back to the home front, and now more moms want to join the trend. A 29 percent rise of home births between 2004 and 2009 might be due to moms wanting “specifically desired surroundings, a so called Hollywood motivation,” reports the Daily Mail.

Gisele gave birth to her son at home in the bathtub in 2009, while Ricki publicly documented her home birth in her film Business of Being Born.

“When they see celebrities doing it, they think ‘Oh, this is a great idea,” Dr. Mary L Rosser, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Women’s Health at Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx told HealthDay News.

Not everyone can go au natural, though. The American Pregnancy Association recommends homebirths only to mothers expecting a “healthy, low-risk pregnancy” and lists the risks of homebirth as high blood pressure, fetal distress, cord prolapse and/or hemorrhage.

If the attraction of giving birth like supermodel Cindy Crawford or Academy-Award winner Meryl Streep isn’t enough incentive, the price may be. “An average uncomplicated vaginal birth costs about 60% less in a home than in a hospital,” the American Pregnancy Association states.

Which do YOU prefer: Bringing your new baby right into your home surrounded by friends and family, or the safe and professional help of doctors and nurses (and those ever-helpful drugs to ease the pain)?

More health stories:

1. A Teen Refused Chemotherapy To Deliver A Healthy Baby, Then Died
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2. Try These 3 Organic Kid-Friendly Recipes From NurturMe
3. Babies Know When You’re Lying — New Report

NYC’s most famous theater, the Ziegfeld, held one of the most star studded premieres in NYC on Dec.13 and HollywoodLife.com was front and center to capture it all!

Meryl Streep is one of Hollywood’s most beloved actresses and it was clear just how much her fans and Hollywood colleagues admire her at the NYC premiere of her new film Iron Lady. The gorgeous 62-year-old actress, who just graced her first ever Vogue cover, looked radiant as she walked the carpet at the premiere hosted by Veuve Clicquot & Salvatore Ferragamo.

Meryl gives an Oscar worthy performance as the United Kingdom’s first female Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Meryl, along with her three daughters walked the carpet at the Weinstein Company premiere put on the Peggy Siegal Company. But along with Meryl, was one of the most impressive guest lists topped off with Hollywood’s most influential women: Christiane Amanpour, Ellen Barkin, Anne Hathaway, Tina Brown, Patricia Clarkson, Sofia Coppola, Billie Jean King, Gloria Steinem, Parker Posey, Fran Lebowitz, and Olivia Wilde.

After the unbelievable film, guests made their way to the exclusive after party held at the swanky Forty Four at Royalton to toast Meryl and her co-stars Harry Lloyd, Alexandra Roach and director Phyllida Lloyd.

You must see this film when it hits theaters Dec. 30!

— Chloe Melas