One of television’s most recognizable faces from the 1990s just left us with a crucial health message—and it’s one that could save your life.
James Van Der Beek, forever remembered for his iconic role in “Dawson’s Creek,” passed away on February 12, 2026, at the age of 48, following a two-and-a-half-year battle with colorectal cancer. But before his death, Van Der Beek did something remarkable: he chose to share his story publicly, not for sympathy, but to warn millions of people about a symptom that seemed so ordinary, so dismissible, that he nearly ignored it himself.
The Symptom Nobody Suspects
At 46 years old, Van Der Beek was the picture of health. He maintained an exceptional level of cardiovascular fitness, ate well, exercised regularly, and had no family history of cancer. By all measures, he was one of the last people you’d expect to receive a cancer diagnosis. Yet his body was sending one subtle message that would eventually save his life—or at least extend it long enough to spread awareness about early detection.
Van Der Beek noticed a change in his bowel habits. This is where the story becomes important: it was so unremarkable that he initially blamed coffee. His irregular bowel movements persisted, but nothing screamed “emergency.” No blood. No severe pain. No dramatic symptoms that would send him rushing to a doctor. Just a slight change in his digestive patterns that he attributed to his morning caffeine consumption.
It was this simple act of persistence—continuing to mention these minor irregularities to his doctor—that changed everything. Van Der Beek eventually requested a colonoscopy, not because he was terrified, but because something felt off. That screening revealed the truth: he had stage 3 colorectal cancer.
The Invisible Crisis Among Younger Adults
What makes Van Der Beek’s story especially relevant today is that colorectal cancer rates among younger adults have been rising dramatically. We’re not talking about the elderly population anymore. Over the past two decades, colorectal cancer diagnoses in adults under 50 have doubled. In fact, colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer deaths in men under 50 and the second leading cause in women under 50—a shocking reversal from just decades ago.
Medical experts remain somewhat puzzled about why this is happening. Lifestyle changes including increased obesity, dietary shifts toward processed foods, sedentary behavior, and possible environmental factors may all be contributing. Whatever the cause, the result is clear: younger, seemingly healthy people are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer at alarming rates.
The American Cancer Society has responded by lowering recommended screening ages from 50 to 45 years old. This wasn’t a decision made lightly. Research shows that approximately 10.5% of all new colorectal cancer cases now occur in people under 50, and recent data indicates that colorectal cancer incidence in adults aged 40-49 has increased by almost 15% in recent years.
Why Many Cases Are Still Missed
The tragic irony of colorectal cancer is that it often develops silently. Many people with early-stage disease experience no symptoms whatsoever. When symptoms do appear—like changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, persistent fatigue, unexplained weight loss, or abdominal discomfort—patients often rationalize them away, just as Van Der Beek did.
Dr. Eitan Friedman, an oncologist and cancer genetics expert, explains that changes in bowel habits are actually the most reliable red flag for colorectal cancer. Yet these changes are so easily confused with dietary issues, irritable bowel syndrome, or simple digestive upset that countless cases slip through without investigation.
“Many colorectal cancers develop silently, without obvious symptoms,” noted Dr. Erica Barnell, a physician-scientist at Washington University School of Medicine. “By the time symptoms appear, the disease may already be advanced.” This is precisely what happened with Van Der Beek—his stage 3 diagnosis meant the cancer had already progressed beyond the most easily treatable stages.
What Health Experts Want You to Know
The key message from Van Der Beek’s experience, which he emphasized repeatedly in his final interviews, is simple but powerful: do not wait for dramatic symptoms. Do not assume that feeling healthy means you are healthy. Do not think that your age, fitness level, or healthy lifestyle automatically protects you.
According to the American Cancer Society, any change in bowel habits lasting longer than a couple of weeks warrants a conversation with your doctor. This includes:

Diarrhea or constipation lasting more than a few days
Persistent changes in stool consistency, shape, or frequency
A feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that isn’t relieved by having one
Blood in or on the stool (either bright red or very dark)
Unexplained weight loss
Persistent abdominal pain, bloating, or cramping
Unexplained iron deficiency or anemia
Persistent fatigue or weakness

The Screening Options Available Today
If Van Der Beek’s story resonates with you—especially if you’re approaching 45 or already past it—you have several screening options:

Colonoscopy – The gold standard, performed every 10 years. A camera examines your entire colon and rectum, and polyps can be removed on the spot.
Stool-Based Tests – Less invasive options performed at home, including FIT (fecal immunochemical test) done annually, or DNA stool tests done every three years.
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy – Examines the lower part of the colon, typically done every 10 years.
Blood-Based Tests – A newer option showing promise, though currently with lower sensitivity for early detection.

The most important thing isn’t which test you choose—it’s that you choose one. Research from Kaiser Permanente confirms that starting screening at age 45, rather than waiting until 50, identifies precancerous polyps that can be removed before they become cancerous, and catches early-stage cancers when they’re most treatable.
A Final Warning From Someone Who Didn’t Ignore the Sign
In his final public interviews, Van Der Beek emphasized something that might be the most important takeaway from his experience: “Don’t think that not having symptoms means you don’t have to get screened, especially for something that is this curable when caught early.”
He went on to say that he wished he’d known that screening ages had been lowered to 45. At 46, when he finally got screened, it was already stage 3. Early detection could have made an enormous difference.
Your body may not scream “emergency.” A change in your bathroom habits might seem silly to mention to your doctor. You might feel healthier than you ever have. But colorectal cancer doesn’t care how you feel or how fit you are. It develops on its own timeline, and it’s increasingly choosing younger targets.
James Van Der Beek’s lasting legacy is this simple message: Get screened. Pay attention to changes. Talk to your doctor. And don’t wait for a reason that makes sense—your health is reason enough.
If you’re 45 or older, contact your healthcare provider about screening options. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, speak with your doctor about beginning screening earlier.