Jerusalem Post
ByDR. ITAY GAL
Dawson's Creek star James Van Der Beek's death at 48 underscores the growing trend of colon cancer among those under 50, now the leading cause of cancer death in this age group.
Dawson's Creek star James Van Der Beek died at age 48 on Wednesday following a diagnosis of advanced colon cancer in 2023, going public with the diagnosis in 2024. The disease is growing in people under 50, and studies show that it is becoming the leading cause of cancer death in the under-50 age group in the US.
Van Der Beek's death at a young age powerfully illustrates one of the most worrying trends in oncology (medicine specializing in cancer diagnosis and treatment) over the past decade, namely an ongoing rise in colon and rectal cancer rates among young people under 50 years old.
Van Der Beek's 2024 announcement of his diagnosis shocked fans, as he was perceived as a young and healthy actor. In the time since, he shared his treatment journey, including chemotherapy and daily struggles, on social media.
However, beyond the personal and painful story, epidemiological data paint a broader and more troubling picture. A comprehensive study published in the peer-reviewed medical journal JAMA found that colon and rectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer death among those under 50 in the US.
This is happening at a time when mortality rates for lung cancer, breast cancer, leukemia, and brain tumors have been steadily declining since the 1990s.
According to the data, the mortality rate for colon cancer in young people has increased by about 1.1% annually since 1990. In just three decades, this cancer has risen from the fifth leading cause to the first in cancer-related deaths in this age group. Doctors report that the clinical picture in the field matches the statistics - more young people are being diagnosed, often at advanced stages.
The reasons for the rise are still not completely clear. The main hypotheses include changes in Western diets, high consumption of processed food and red meat, obesity, sedentary lifestyles, and changes in gut microbiome composition. Additionally, there is the possibility of environmental exposure to various substances and biological influences that have not yet been identified.
However, it is important to emphasize that unhealthy lifestyles are not the only factor affecting individuals. Even young, slim, active, and athletic people are sometimes diagnosed with the disease.
One significant factor contributing to the high mortality rate is late diagnosis. About 75% of young patients are diagnosed when the disease has already spread. Both patients and doctors tend to attribute early symptoms to benign issues like hemorrhoids or irritable bowel syndrome, and not suspect cancer at a young age.
Four prominent symptoms act as warning signs for young people to detect colon cancer
Four prominent symptoms have been identified in studies as particularly common in young people with colon cancer - prolonged abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, persistent diarrhea, and iron deficiency anemia. The persistent appearance of one or more of these symptoms requires seeing a doctor for investigation, even under the age of 50.
Screening tests are the primary tool in the fight against the disease. In the US and many other countries, the recommendation is to start screening at age 45. For those with a first-degree relative diagnosed before age 50, it is recommended to begin testing ten years before the relative's age at diagnosis.
The tests include fecal occult blood tests and colonoscopies, which allow not only early detection but also the removal of precancerous polyps, thus providing real prevention.
In Israel, the national screening program offers free fecal occult blood tests for people aged 50 to 74. Colon and rectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in Israel. It ranks third in men and second in women. In terms of mortality, it is a major factor, second only to lung cancer in men and breast cancer in women.
In Israel, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men, followed by colon cancer and pancreatic cancer. In women, breast cancer leads in mortality due to its high incidence, followed by lung cancer and colon cancer. The data illustrate how early detection impacts the chances of recovery.
Van Der Beek's death highlights a complex reality. Despite advances in oncological treatments, personalized chemotherapy, biological drugs, and immunotherapy, the disease remains deadly when diagnosed at an advanced stage.
The rise in illness among young people changes the rules of the game. Cancer that was once seen as a disease of older age is increasingly appearing in young people in their 40s and even 30s. The message to doctors and the public is clear: do not ignore persistent symptoms, do not assume that being young protects against cancer, and take advantage of the available screening tests.
Van Der Beek's personal story, which ended too soon, joins a broader medical warning about a disease that no longer discriminates by age as once thought.
