James Van Der Beek raises awareness for colorectal cancer
Actor James Van Der Beek, known for his roles in “Dawson’s Creek” and “Varsity Blues,” as well as many other TV shows and movies, recently announced he is in treatment for colorectal cancer. He told People magazine that “there’s reason for optimism and I’m feeling good.”
In December 2024, Van Der Beek, 47, took on a new role in the two-hour show The Real Full Monty with several other celebrities who stripped down to raise awareness for prostate, testicular and colorectal cancer testing and research, according to the magazine.
Colorectal cancer is often referred to as colon cancer because the rectum is located in the last several inches of the large intestine, also known as the colon. Most colorectal cancers start as a growth called a polyp, in the inner lining of the colon or rectum, according to the American Cancer Society.
Change in Age to Begin Screening
Peter Hopewood, MD, FACS, a Cape Cod Healthcare surgeon with Cape Cod Surgeons, P.C., expressed concern for the growing trend of colorectal cancer in young people.
“In 1975, the percentage of people under the age of 50 getting colon cancer was nearly zero,” said Dr. Hopewood. “Since the 1990s, colorectal cancer affecting young people under the age of 40 has gone up by 35 percent and there is a huge increase over 45 years. We don’t really know why this is happening.”
The recommended age to begin screening for colorectal cancer is now 45 for those who are at normal risk for colorectal cancer, as recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Those who may need screening sooner are those with:
Types of Screening
“While colonoscopy remains the gold standard for screening because you can locate polyps and remove them before they become malignant, there are other tests for people who are at normal risk for colon cancer,” said Dr. Hopewood.
The following colorectal screening tests are available, according to Dr. Hopewood:
- Fecal occult stool test done in the doctor’s office that checks for blood in the stool. It can show blood in the stool, but it picks up on animal and human blood. It does not differentiate between the red meat you may have eaten the night before the test and your blood that may be in your stool
- FIT test (fecal immunochemical test) stool test that checks for human blood. It detects about 75 percent of colon cancers and it only finds about 25 percent of large polyps. You could have a big polyp that is not bleeding and is pre-malignant or malignant and not be bleeding, and the test will miss it.
- Cologuard at-home stool tests look at DNA as well as blood and picks up about 92 percent of colon colorectal cancers but identifies only 40 percent of large polyps that could become malignant.
- A blood test called Shield by Guardant Health. This test is for those who prefer not to do a home stool test and may not be as reliable as the Cologuard test.
Red-Flag Symptoms
In addition to testing, Dr. Hopewood also recommends looking for symptoms that can be red flags when it comes to colorectal cancer, especially in the younger population and the elderly.
Symptoms include:
- Rectal bleeding: If you have a little rectal bleeding that happens once, that’s probably ok, but if it keeps recurring and/or you feel rectal pressure as well, it is time to see your physician.
- Weight loss and abdominal pain: If you have an occasional stomachache for a day or so, that is normal, but if it’s going on for a couple of weeks and you feel pressure, it is time to get checked.
- Change in bowel habits that are noticeable over a period of time.
Dr. Hopewood stressed the importance of patients and physicians paying attention to symptoms that can be indicative of colorectal cancer.
“One of the worries is that young people will see their primary care physician with rectal bleeding that could be interpreted as bleeding from hemorrhoids, “said Dr. Hopewood. “That can lead to a six- month delay in diagnosis. Nobody expects a 42-year-old to show up with colon cancer.”
