The actor with colorectal cancer shares a simple sign that ignored: he had no idea

James Van Der Beek has revealed the first warning sign of his colon cancer, and is one that did not seem alarming at that time.

The actor “Dawson’s Creek”, 48, who announced his diagnosis of colorectal cancer in November 2024, he recently told Healthline that “there was no red flag or something evident.”

“I was healthy. I was making the cold fall,” he said. “It was in incredible cardiovascular shape, and had cancer in stage 3, and had no idea.”

Colorectal cancer diagnoses are triggered among younger adults for a key reason

The only symptom he experienced was a change in intestinal movements, which the actor attributed to an effect of coffee consumption.

“Before my diagnosis, I didn’t know much about colorectal cancer,” said Van der Beek. “I didn’t even realize the projection age [had] fell to 45; I thought it was still 50 “.

Finally, he underwent a colonoscopy, which revealed that the actor had colon cancer in stage 3.

Professor Eitan Friedman, MD, Ph.D., an oncologist and founder of the Oncogenetic Unit of Suzanne Levy-Gertner in the Sheba Medical Center in Israel, confirmed that changes in intestinal habits are the main red flag that should raise the suspicion of colorrectal cancer.

Others include fatigue as a result of anemia, blood in stool, weight loss, loss of appetite and abdominal discomfort, said Friedman, who has not treated Van der Beek, News Digital.

“It was in incredible cardiovascular shape, and had cancer in stage 3, and had no idea.”

Dr. Erica Barnell, MD, Ph.D., a doctor-scientific of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Washington, and co-founder and Medical Director of Geneoscopy, said that Van der Beek’s experience of not having “obvious” signs is common.

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“Many colorectal cancers develop in silence, without obvious symptoms,” said Barnell, who also did not treat the actor News Digital. “For the moment the symptoms appear, the disease can already be advanced.”

The symptoms are “especially worrisome” for those of 45 years or more who have at least a first -degree relative with colon cancer or other gastrointestinal malignant neoplasms, and those with inflammatory inflammatory inflammatory disease, such as ulcerative colitis or crohn disease, added Friedman, who is also a member of the advisory board on the board of directors, a startup offers detention of the first into account.

Early detection is key

According to Friedman, the general possibility that an average risk person who obtains colorectal cancer is 4% to 5%, according to Friedman.

“It has been shown that colonoscopy at age 45, at intervals of five to 10 years, leads to the early detection of polyps that have the potential to become evil and to allow its elimination as an effective means to minimize the risk of evil transformation,” he said.

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Unfortunately, Barnell said: “Compliance with detection in the United States remains below national objectives, and the gaps are broader in rural, low -income and minority communities.”

To help close those gaps, he asked for greater access to “precise and non -invasive detection technologies”, along with efforts to increase public awareness.

“Most people do not like to talk about intestinal habits, but paying attention to changes can save their lives,” said Barnell. “Detection gives us the opportunity to find early problems, often before feeling sick, and that can make a difference.”

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News Digital communicated with Van der Beek representative to comment.