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James Van Der Beek has colorectal cancer – what to know about the disease

Online Niel November 5, 2024

James Van Der Beek revealed his cancer diagnosis this week in an interview with People Magazine. He said: “I have colorectal cancer. I have dealt with this diagnosis privately and taken steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family.”

The actor added that he felt there was “reason for optimism” and said he was “feeling good”.

The 47-year-old found fame on Dawson’s Creek alongside Joshua Jackson, Katie Holmes and Michelle Williams, playing the lead role of Dawson Leery from 1998 to 2003. He is married to Kimberly Van Der Beek, whom he met -o in 2009 and married in 2010. The couple has six children named Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah.

On the pair’s 14th anniversary this year, Van Der Beek wrote a tribute to his wife on Instagram, thanking her for her “courage, strength, vulnerability and tenderness”.

He added: “In the past, I feel like you’ve always set the pace for our co-evolution, but this year, as I’ve gone through my own radical transformation, you’ve worked tirelessly and somehow succeeded. to match it. I love you beyond. Happy anniversary. Thank you for being in the world.”

Van Der Beek has continued to work since his diagnosis. His next projects are a Tubi original film called Sidelined: The QB and Me, which comes out later this month, and he will appear in The Real Full Monty, a two-hour US special that aims to increase the awareness for prostate, testicular and colorectal cancer testing and research.

James Van Der Beek and wife Kimberley

Instagram/ @vanderjames

The actor speaking publicly about his diagnosis will no doubt help raise awareness in the UK as well.

Bowel cancer – or colorectal cancer, as it is sometimes known because it can affect the large intestine – is the fourth most common type of cancer in the UK, with almost 44,000 people diagnosed each year. Conformable Bowel Cancer UK it is treatable and curable if caught early and there is a national screening program available.

Dr. Liza Osagie, founder of SOLICE, the private family medicine and longevity service, shares her bowel cancer knowledge with you if you’re concerned about the disease or your risk of developing it.

Who is susceptible to bowel cancer?

Bowel cancer can affect people of any age, although 94% of cases are diagnosed in people aged over 50 in the UK. It is slightly more common in men, with 1 in 17 men and 1 in 20 women being diagnosed with bowel cancer in their lifetime.

Dr. Osagie adds that “people of East Asian ancestry may be more likely to develop stomach cancer, which is often triggered by infection with Helicobacter pylori (a common bacterium that infects the stomach and upper small intestine). Younger Hispanic women are also more likely to develop stomach cancer.”

She also notes that “the role of diet cannot be ignored: consuming large amounts of ultra-processed foods may put people at increased risk of developing bowel cancer. Ultra-processed foods include foods with high amounts of salt, fat, sugar and artificial additives.”

A potential link between a less diverse microbiome and increased risk of bowel cancer should also be considered. “The microbiome is the community of bacteria and other microbes that live in the gut and help regulate the digestive system. More diversity in the microbiome is generally associated with better health,” says Osagie. She adds that growing research is “investigating the rise in colon cancer in young people”, looking at “whether changes in diet, drugs such as antibiotics, breastfeeding and caesarean section patterns and the age of the parents at birth could affect. microbiome and contributes to intestinal cancer.”

What are the symptoms to look out for?

Bowel cancer “often presents with several key symptoms, although these can vary depending on the stage and location of the cancer,” explains Dr. Osagie.

“The main symptoms are often changes in bowel habits; persistent diarrhea or constipation or changes in stool shape and consistency,” she adds. Although important: “if it lasts more than a few days without a clear cause”.

This could be accompanied by “a feeling of fullness and not complete emptying of the bowels”.

Bleeding in the stool is another possible symptom. “The blood may appear bright red (often from rectal bleeding) or dark and mixed with the stool (common in upper bowel cancers).

Other potential signs include: “unexplained weight loss without changes in diet or exercise, which may occur as the body uses more energy to try to fight the cancer or because the tumor interferes with the absorption of nutrients.”

As well as potentially: stomach cramps from “the tumor pressing on other organs or tissues” and bloating or feeling full, even without eating much.

Although dr. Osagie explains that in general, “feeling sick” could be an indicator, so if you have “unexplained weakness and fatigue, you should always talk to your doctor.”

What should you do if you think you might have bowel cancer?

“If you suspect you may have bowel cancer, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. They may recommend a physical exam, blood tests, and possibly a colonoscopy to check for any signs of cancer,” says Dr. Osage.

“It’s important to watch for symptoms, especially changes in bowel habits or persistent pain, and share them with your healthcare provider. Early testing and preventive screening can lead to faster diagnosis and more effective treatment if needed,” she says.

For support as a cancer patient or as a friend or family of someone who has been diagnosed macmillan.org.uk

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James Van Der Beek has colorectal cancer – what to know about the disease

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