Just days before Valentine’s Day this year we got news that the actor is a heartthrob for Millennials around the world James Van Der Beek (Popular stars such as dawson creek and varsity blues), died of colorectal cancer at the age of 48. This hit me hard, not only because he was my first on-screen love, but because I also had stage 3 cancer at an unusually young age (I was diagnosed at age 37). My heart was broken even more when I found out he left behind six children. I have five myself. But the similarities don’t end there.
Van Der Beek and I were both missing a very real and important symptom that was prolonging our cancer diagnoses and that oncologists were shouting from the rooftops that more young people should be aware of. Like a colonoscopy, it’s not sexy, but it’s important to keep an eye on changes in your bowel movements. Here’s information about this early sign of colon cancer.
Colorectal cancer on the rise among young people
Colorectal cancer, a cancer that develops in the soft tissues of the digestive system, such as the colon or rectum, is on the rise among younger people. One in 24 men and 1 in 26 women will develop the disease, which is currently the third most diagnosed cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death. cancer institute (CRI) warning. More worryingly, confirmed cases in the 20 to 39 age group have increased by 2% each year since the mid-1990s, with experts blaming processed foods and red meat as well as sedentary lifestyles, the CRI said.
“Cases among young people are expected to nearly double by 2030. By the end of this century, approximately one in 10 colon cancers and one in four rectal cancers will occur in people under 50 years of age. ” Avni Desai, MDa gastrointestinal oncology specialist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Commack, New York. “We don’t fully understand why this happens. Researchers are looking for possible links to diet, lifestyle and environmental factors, and this trend is emerging around the world.”
Colon Cancer Screening: Should You Get Tested Before Age 50?
Signs of colon cancer we sometimes miss
James Van Der Beek 2019
Emma McIntyre/Getty
Most young people do not have their stool analyzed regularly. After all, it sucks. When my bowel habits first changed, I blamed my diet. I think I need to skip pizza and drinks with friends on Friday night, maybe I’ll become a little lactose intolerant. So, I tweaked my eating habits a little and then wrote it off. In 2024, Van der Beek had similar thoughts and blamed it on coffee.
He originally told people: “It was just a change in bowel habits… I probably needed to change my diet a little bit. Maybe I needed to stop drinking coffee. Maybe I didn’t need cream in my coffee. And then when I finally took it out of my diet, it didn’t improve and I thought, well, I better get it checked out.”
Likewise, I did become more concerned when the diarrhea didn’t stop by eliminating dairy. Plus, I missed my friends’ Friday night outing. I didn’t go to the emergency room until I had emergency stomach pain, and it turned out I had a large tumor in my digestive tract, even though I had no family history of cancer.
So, why don’t we, as “conscious” beings, pay attention to our bodies? children. Life. Jobs. reject. Whatever the cause, stopping colorectal cancer problems early is not enough.
“We see this all the time,” says Dr. Desai. “Many people think changes in their gut are caused by what they eat, stress, or new medications. Rectal bleeding is often blamed on hemorrhoids, even if the condition has been going on for months or longer. “Unfortunately, colorectal cancer is often not suspected by young people and their health care providers, leading to delays in diagnosis,” she said.
Are we screening for colon cancer too late?
Van Der Beek paints a picture of good health, with “an amazing cardiovascular profile,” along with cold baths, intermittent fasting, “all of it.” he once shared. Likewise, I was someone who ate healthy, exercised regularly, and never suspected there was something wrong with me. For those without symptoms, there is no reason to suspect colon cancer and no need for routine screening as a young person.
this American Cancer Society Colorectal cancer screening is recommended starting at age 45 and, in 2018, at age 50, with either a stool test or a colonoscopy (the “gold standard” colon cancer screening tool). Dr. Desai said that while a lower testing age would not help improve diagnosis rates among those in their 20s and 30s, overall, the majority of cases were still in older people.
But if you can get screened for colorectal cancer, do it. As someone who has had multiple colonoscopies, I can assure anyone considering one that it really isn’t bad at all, and oddly enough, it’s the best nap ever. So just do it.
Signs of colon cancer to watch out for
Alexandra Frost undergoes post-operative scan after being diagnosed with colon cancer
Contributed by Alexandra Frost
As Van Der Beek might attest, don’t think it’s coffee that’s causing the gut changes. As I can attest, don’t assume you have a lactose problem. Conversely, if you have a bowel movement, carefully track its occurrence, its duration, and pay extra attention. “If intestinal changes or bleeding persist for more than a few weeks, especially if simple dietary changes don’t improve, it’s time to see a health care provider,” says Dr. Desai.
She also says to watch for early signs and symptoms of colon cancer, including:
Unfortunately, this type of cancer may also cause no symptoms at all, she adds. (Learn more about Symptoms of colon cancer in women You should never ignore this. )
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Early detection saves lives
“The good news is that when colorectal cancer is caught early, it is highly treatable and often curable,” assures Dr. Desai. “Screening saves lives. The most important step is to get screened and don’t ignore symptoms if something doesn’t feel right. “
Fortunately, today, my prognosis is much better, the cancer was removed and frequent screenings ensured it did not spread further. But the lesson I learned is one I will carry with me as I wait for many more years, hoping for remission, and shout from the rooftops, don’t ignore your pooping habits. Let us share the same warning in honor of our first heartthrob and the family he left behind.
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More ways to fight cancer:
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This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your doctor before undertaking any treatment plan.
