James Van Der Beek announced his cancer diagnosis this week in an interview with People Magazine. He said: “I have colorectal cancer. I have dealt with this diagnosis personally and have taken steps to overcome it, with the support of my amazing family.
The actor added that he felt: “There is reason for optimism” and said that it “feels good.”
The 47-year-old found fame in Dawson Creek together with Joshua Jackson, Katie Holmes and Michelle Williams, starring in the titular role of Dawson Leery from 1998 to 2003. He married Kimberly Van Der Beek whom he met in 2009 and married in 2010. This couple has six children named Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah.
On the couple’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 felt that you always set the pace for our evolution, but this year, because I have undergone a radical transformation myself, you never tire of working and somehow managing to match. I love you beyond Happy birthday. Thank you for being in the world.”
Van Der Beek has continued to work since his diagnosis. Tubi’s next project is an original film called Sidelined: The QB and Me, out later this month, and he’ll appear in The Real Full Monty, a two-hour US special riffing on the 2000s film that aims to raise awareness for prostate, testicular , and colorectal cancer testing and research.
James Van Der Beek and his wife Kimberley
Instagram/ @vanderjames
No doubt the actor talking publicly about the diagnosis will help to raise awareness in the UK as well.
Bowel cancer – or colorectal cancer, as it is sometimes known as 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. According to 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, a private GP and longevity service, shares her insight into bowel cancer if you have any concerns about the disease or your risk.
Who can get colon cancer?
Bowel cancer can affect people of any age, although 94 per cent of cases are diagnosed in people aged over 50 in the UK. It is more common in men, with 1 in 17 men and 1 in 20 women receiving a diagnosis of bowel cancer in their lifetime.
Dr. Osagie added that “people of East Asian descent are more likely to develop stomach cancer, which is often triggered by Helicobacter pylori infection (a common bacteria that infects the stomach and upper small intestine). Younger Hispanic women are also more likely to develop stomach cancer.
He also notes that “the role of diet cannot be ignored: consuming large amounts of processed foods can increase the risk of developing colon cancer. Ultra-processed foods include foods that are high in salt, fat, sugar, and artificial additives.
Also worth considering is the potential link between a less diverse microbiome and increased risk of colon cancer. “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,” Osagie said. He added that much research “investigates the rise in colon cancer in young children,” looking at “whether changes in diet, medications such as antibiotics, breastfeeding and C-section patterns, and the age of parents at birth can affect the microbiome and contribute for colon cancer.
What are the symptoms to watch out for?
Colon cancer “often presents a few main symptoms, although they 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 the shape and consistency of the stool,” he added. Although it is important: “if it lasts longer than a few days without an obvious cause.”
This may be accompanied by a “feeling of fullness, and not emptying the stomach.”
Bleeding in the stool is another symptom. “The blood can appear bright red (often due to rectal bleeding) or dark and mixed with stool (common in cancers higher up in the bowel).
Other potential signs include: “unexplained weight loss without changes in diet or exercise, which may occur because the body uses more energy to try to fight the cancer, or because tumors interfere with nutrient absorption.”
Also potentially: cramps in the abdominal area due to “tumors invading other organs or tissues,” and bloating or feeling full, even after not eating much.
Though Dr. Osagie explains that generally ‘feeling bad’ can be an indicator, so if you have “unexplained weakness and fatigue, you should talk to your doctor.”
What should you do if you think you have colon cancer?
“If you suspect you have colon cancer, schedule a visit to your doctor as soon as possible. He can recommend a physical exam, blood tests, and possibly a colonoscopy to check for signs of cancer,” said Dr. Osagie.
“It is important to track symptoms, especially changes in bowel habits or persistent pain, and share with your healthcare provider. Early tests and preventive screening can lead to a faster diagnosis and more effective treatment if necessary,” he said.
For support as a cancer patient or as a friend or family of someone who has been diagnosed visit macmillan.org.uk
