James van der Beek reveals first colon most cancers warning signal that he ignored

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James van der Beek has revealed the primary warning signal of his colon cancer — and it’s one which didn't appear alarming on the time.

The "Dawson’s Creek" actor, 48, who introduced his colorectal most cancers analysis in November 2024, not too long ago advised Healthline that "there wasn’t any pink flag or one thing evident."

"I used to be wholesome. I used to be doing the chilly plunge," he stated. "I used to be in superb cardiovascular form, and I had stage 3 most cancers, and I had no concept."

COLORECTAL CANCER DIAGNOSES SOAR AMONG YOUNGER ADULTS FOR ONE KEY REASON

The one symptom that he did expertise was a change in bowel actions, which the actor chalked as much as an impact of his espresso consumption.

"Earlier than my analysis, I didn’t know a lot about colorectal cancer ," van der Beek stated. "I didn’t even understand the screening age [had] dropped to 45; I believed it was nonetheless 50."

He finally underwent a colonoscopy, which revealed that the actor had stage 3 colon most cancers.

James van der Beek has revealed the primary warning signal of his colon most cancers — and it’s one which didn't appear alarming on the time. (Getty Photos)

Professor Eitan Friedman, M.D., Ph.D., an oncologist and founding father of The Suzanne Levy-Gertner Oncogenetics Unit on the Sheba Medical Heart in Israel, confirmed that modifications in bowel habits is the first pink flag that ought to increase the suspicion of colorectal most cancers.

Others embody fatigue because of anemia, blood in stool, weight loss , lack of urge for food and stomach discomfort, Friedman, who has not handled van der Beek, advised Fox Information Digital.

"I used to be in superb cardiovascular form, and I had stage 3 most cancers, and I had no concept."

Dr. Erica Barnell, M.D., Ph.D., a physician-scientist at Washington College College of Medication — and co-founder and chief medical officer at Geneoscopy — famous that van der Beek’s expertise of getting no "evident" indicators is widespread.

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"Many colorectal cancers develop silently, with out apparent signs," Barnell, who additionally didn't deal with the actor, advised Fox Information Digital. "By the point signs seem, the illness could already be superior."

The "Dawson’s Creek" actor, 48, who introduced his colorectal most cancers analysis in November 2024, not too long ago advised Healthline that "there wasn’t any pink flag or one thing evident." (Getty Photos)

Signs are "particularly worrisome" for these 45 and older who've at the least one first-degree relative with colon most cancers or other GI malignancies , and people with lively inflammatory bowel illness, reminiscent of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s illness, added Friedman, who can also be an advisory board member at SpotitEarly, a startup that provides an at-home breath take a look at to detect early-stage most cancers indicators.

Early detection is vital The general likelihood of an average-risk individual getting colorectal most cancers over a lifetime is 4% to five%, in accordance with Friedman.

"Colonoscopy at age 45 onwards, at five- to 10-year intervals, has been proven to result in early detection of polyps which have the potential to grow to be malignant, and to permit for his or her removing as an efficient technique of minimizing the chance of malignant transformation," he stated.

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Sadly, Barnell famous, "screening compliance within the U.S. stays under nationwide targets, and gaps are widest in rural, low-income and minority communities."

To assist shut these gaps, she known as for better entry to "correct, noninvasive screening technologies ," together with efforts to extend public consciousness.

"Colonoscopy at age 45 onwards, at five- to 10-year intervals, has been proven to result in early detection of polyps which have the potential to grow to be malignant, and to permit for his or her removing as an efficient technique of minimizing the chance of malignant transformation," an professional stated. (iStock)

"Most individuals don’t like speaking about bowel habits, however listening to modifications can save your life," Barnell stated. "Screening offers us the prospect to search out issues early — typically earlier than you're feeling sick — and that may make all of the distinction."

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Fox Information Digital reached out to van der Beek’s consultant for remark.

Melissa Rudy is senior well being editor and a member of the approach to life workforce at Fox Information Digital. Story suggestions might be despatched to melissa.rudy@fox.com.