The world has been reeling ever since James Van Der Beek passed away last week after a years-long battle with cancer.
The Dawson’s Creek actor announced his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis in 2024, and he was pretty vocal about what led him to the doctors, saying at the time that his only noticeable symptom was a change in bowel movements. He didn’t even think much of it at the time — he just thought it was a result of his coffee consumption!
We bet SO many people have ignored symptoms for simple theories like that. But thank goodness he did something about it, because despite feeling and appearing physically healthy, this led to a life-altering diagnosis. And while he ultimately lost his battle, getting treatment when he did likely made a huge difference in the amount of time he had after the discovery.
Related: Why Steven Spielberg’s $25,000 Donation To James’ Family Is So Meaningful
James used his platform to encourage his fans to get educated on their health, and that’s exactly why we’ve turned to a doctor to get all the latest advice on colorectal cancer for anyone who might be worried following this tremendous loss.
Dr. Toufic Kachaamy, Interventional Gastroenterologist and Chief of Medicine at City of Hope Cancer Center Phoenix, exclusively told PerezHilton.com on Monday that patients should always take note of changes in their bodily functions — just as James did with his bowel movements. Kachaamy explained:
“Never disregard a change in your bowel habits, particularly if the change has lasted more than a few weeks. Changes in bowel habits can include: New onset of constipation, diarrhea or alternating between the two. You have abdominal pain or cramping, and it has persisted for a while. You have unintentionally lost weight or feel fatigued.
You notice blood in your stool or you experience rectal bleeding, even if it is a small amount. It should always be discussed with a physician and investigated. Many younger patients are told by their providers that their symptoms are ‘just hemorrhoids’ or stress. However, if your symptoms are persistent, worsening, or return, push back for additional testing and/or a referral to GI or for a colonoscopy instead of just being told to feel better.”
That’s an important reminder to always be your number 1 advocate, even at the doctors! You know your body better than anyone, and if you sense something’s off, it’s better to be safe than sorry!
The doc went on to detail other lesser known signs of trouble that always warrant a trip to the doctor’s:
“A variety of subtle warning signs related to early onset colorectal cancer can be either missed or interpreted as insignificant. Specially: Iron Deficiency Anemia (feeling tired/somewhat out of breath for no known reason). A feeling of having bowel movements without completely emptying out your bowels. Narrow (pencil thin-like) stools. Persistent bloating/unexplained discomfort in the abdomen for long periods of time. Symptoms that come and go for several months. The most significant problem with symptom dismissal or delay in diagnosis of early onset colorectal cancer is that many patients report having experienced symptoms for many months or even years before being diagnosed due to these patients attributing their symptoms to non-serious types of disorders.”
There has been a huge rise in colorectal cancer diagnoses in recent years. From 2013 to 2022 alone, “colorectal cancer rates for individuals under 50 years have risen by approximately 3% each year.” The doc shared:
“The diagnosis of advanced stage colorectal cancer occurs in three-quarters of patients aged 18-49 years. Colorectal carcinoma has overtaken all other forms of malignancy and is now the primary cause of cancer mortality for those under 50. Experts characterize this epidemiological trend to be multifactorial, rather than solely having been caused by genetic variances.”
Whoa. As for why this type of cancer is becoming more common, the medical professional theorized:
“While no one physician believes there is one specific cause to the rise in colorectal cancer, multiple factors most likely play a role in the increase. Changes to the microbiome, dietary and environmental factors, [and] lifestyle factors/inflammation.”
So, how can you work to prevent this condition? Dr. Kachaamy shared tips to promote good colon health, saying:
“Essential steps include: Be mindful of your symptoms. Your doctor can help you evaluate any new changes in your bowel habits or rectal bleeding as soon as possible. Talk with your doctor about your options for colorectal cancer screening: Colonoscopy remains the best option for detecting and preventing cancer through the removal of precancerous polyps. Choose a screening method that you are comfortable fulfilling and pursue a colonoscopy if your non-invasive screening test was positive. If you have any of the symptoms mentioned previously, please advocate for yourself and pursue additional testing or get a second opinion. Practice overall wellness through eating a balanced diet and focusing on your digestive health long term. As noted by leading health professionals: Colorectal cancer is very treatable if diagnosed at an early stage, and education and screening can save lives.”
And, as always, it’s so helpful to “know your family history.” That’s the case for any medical condition — but it can change the way you get screened for this specific kind of cancer, too. He said:
“If you have family history of cancer particularly colorectal cancer or ‘advanced polyps’ you may need to be screened earlier than 45 and more frequently than normal. Do not wait or it to sneak up on you. Be proactive, ask about your family history and discuss it with your physician.”
Such great advice, much of which we’re sure James would agree with. He was so passionate about encouraging folks to get checked and to stay on top of their routine health exams. Hopefully, this advice is helpful to anyone worried about colorectal cancer, especially after this loss.
