Actor James Van Der Beek, best known for playing Dawson Leary on the ’90s teen drama “Dawson’s Creek,” died Wednesday. While his official cause of death is currently unknown, the actor was battling colorectal cancer.
The 48-year-old revealed the diagnosis in 2024 as part of a worrying rise in colorectal cancer among young people around the world. Colorectal cancers are grouped together because of their similarities.
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An American Cancer Society report found that colorectal cancer diagnosis rates among people under 55 have nearly doubled in recent years; from 11% in 1995 to 20% in 2019. Diagnosis rates for advanced colorectal cancer are higher, increasing from 52% in the mid-2000s to 60% in 2019, the report said.
Even before these data were available, doctors and researchers were aware of the increase in cases.
“The increase we are seeing in the incidence of colorectal cancer in young adults is alarming and disturbing,” said Dr. Robin Mendelsohn, co-director of the Young-Onset Colorectal and Gastrointestinal Cancer Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. “Since the 1990s, it’s been growing about 1% to 2% a year.”
The overall numbers are small, but any increase is still concerning. Mendelsohn explained that this is particularly alarming because the largest increase in cases has been among the youngest groups – those aged 20 to 29.
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Why are cases increasing among young people? “W“We don’t have a clear answer as to why we’re seeing an increase in incidence,” said Dr. Nilofer Saba Azad, co-director of cancer genetics and epigenetics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore.But what is clear is that this is not due to any new changes in the genes, meaning it could be due to environmental factors. “
These include primarily a Western diet (particularly processed meats), excess body weight, alcohol, smoking, and diseases such as diabetes and other metabolic problems.
“Each of these factors individually is not a major risk factor, but when you put all of them together, it may underpin some of what we’re seeing – but we don’t have a clear answer,” Azad noted.
Azad stresses that this doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the food of a Western diet or drink a glass of wine; many cancer risk factors, such as genetics, are beyond your control. Rather, it simply emphasizes the importance of moderation and prioritizing nutritious food and exercise.
In addition to adopting a lifestyle that limits certain risks, you should also know the signs of colorectal cancer and follow official screening guidelines to stay healthy or catch the disease early.
Actor James Van Der Beek announced that he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2024. The incidence of this disease is rising among young people around the world. IndieWire via Getty Images
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Starting at age 45, you should be screened for colorectal cancer.
Unfortunately, the youngest people experiencing increased rates of colorectal cancer are too young to be screened. For most people, insurance plans don’t cover screening until age 45 (more on that later).
But this makes it even more important that you get screened as soon as possible. Dr. Arif Kamal, chief patient officer for the American Cancer Society, said the age at which screening began in the U.S. used to be 50, but guidelines changed due to rising case numbers.
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“The reason is we’re seeing a significant increase in colon cancer patients in their early 50s,” Kamal said.
“The purpose of screening is twofold,” Mendelsohn said. “One is to find the cancer early if it’s found… In its early stages, colorectal cancer is very curable. The other is to find polyps, which are precancerous growths that can turn into cancer over time.”
“The idea is that if we can find polyps, identify them and remove them, we can prevent cancer, thereby enabling early detection and cancer prevention,” Mendelsohn added.
Some people can be screened before age 45.
Certain high-risk groups can be screened before age 45 and are covered by insurance plans.
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“We do start earlier in people who have a family history, so it’s important that everyone understands their family history,” Mendelsohn said.
In other words, you’ll want to know if a parent, child or sibling has colon or rectal cancer, she points out.
Those with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis) can also get screened early, she said.
If you don’t fall into any of these groups but are concerned that something is wrong, it’s still worth reporting it to your doctor. You know your body best. You and your doctor will likely decide together whether a colonoscopy is worth it; it may not be covered by insurance or may be denied, but there are some options you can explore with your medical provider.
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Colonoscopy is not the only screening method.
Experts say it’s common, though unfounded, for people to be afraid of colonoscopies. “Colonoscopy is a very safe procedure…and They actually don’t feel uncomfortable at all,” Azad said.
Azad added that for many people, the most uncomfortable part is the preparation (essentially cleaning out your system). But this minor inconvenience comes with major health benefits.
Many experts do consider colonoscopy to be the gold standard, Mendelsohn said, “because it’s really a screening method where we can simultaneously identify these polyps and remove them and, if cancer is present, do a biopsy — it gives us immediate early identification and cancer prevention.”
There are other screening tests, such as stool tests and CT scans called virtual colonoscopies, Mendelsohn said.
In healthy people, a colonoscopy should be done every 10 years and a virtual colonoscopy every five years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stool tests should be done more frequently, from once a year to every three years, depending on the test results.
“When people ask what is the best test… I do think [colonoscopy] is the best test because it allows us to do all the things we talked about, but ultimately, I think the best test is the test that gets done,” Mendelsohn said.
So if you’re nervous about getting a colonoscopy (or a routine test to prepare for a colonoscopy), there are other screening options.
Colorectal cancer symptoms can vary.
Research published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding and iron-deficiency anemia are early “red flags” that may appear months to years before a colorectal diagnosis. Therefore, it is important to alert your doctor if you notice any of these problems.
According to Mendelsohn, “The most common symptom is rectal bleeding or blood in the stool, either in the toilet bowl or in the stool itself. [or] On toilet paper. “
But she stressed that most people with rectal bleeding will not develop cancer. Hemorrhoids are a common cause of this condition.
But at the same time, not all rectal bleeding in young people is hemorrhoids, and that’s a dangerous misconception.
Don’t ignore persistent stomach pain—it could be a sign of colorectal cancer. Kinga Krzeminska via Getty Images
Another sign of colorectal cancer is a feeling of being unable to empty your bowel, according to the Mayo Clinic. This means that when you go to the bathroom, you won’t feel the relief and emptiness that comes with having a bowel movement.
Anemia can also be another sign. “If you’ve been diagnosed with anemia, if your blood counts are low, that could be a sign that you’re losing blood in your gastrointestinal tract,” Mendelsohn says.
Azad says changes in stool are another red flag. Kamal added that this could include black poop or constipation issues. But it’s worth mentioning that not all constipation or changes in your bowel movements are a cause for panic. Some of this may be related to stress or diet, Mendelsohn said.
Be aware that some other symptoms, such as abdominal pain and weight loss, can be very vague. These may include abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, and unexplained changes in appetite.
“That’s what makes this so difficult. If someone has some rectal bleeding, that’s a very easy sign … but some of the other symptoms can be a little subtle,” Azad said. “It’s really about people getting to know their bodies and knowing that something feels different than it did before.”
Everyone needs to monitor themselves for these symptoms, especially those under 45.
Since most people under the age of 45 will not be screened for colorectal cancer, it is important to monitor yourself for these symptoms and contact your doctor if you notice any of these signs. If you do this, you can and should advocate for early testing.
Additionally, even if you are over 45 and have regular checkups, it is important to alert your doctor to any of these problems.
Kamal said it’s important to know that while a colon cancer diagnosis is scary, the average survival rate for patients with stage IV colon cancer is measured in years, but the cure rate for patients with localized colon cancer (i.e., cancer that has not spread) can be as high as 100 percent.
As the incidence of this disease continues to rise, it is important to screen for and understand the warning signs.
The original version of this story was published earlier on The Huffington Post.
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