Health3 min(s) read
Published 15:40 17 Jul 2026 GMT
Two high-profile figures diagnosed with bowel cancer shared a strikingly similar experience before learning they had the disease - both noticed persistent changes in their bowel habits but initially believed something less serious was to blame.
Actor James Van Der Beek and broadcaster Dame Deborah James both said they never expected to receive a bowel cancer diagnosis, particularly because they considered themselves healthy and had no obvious reason to think they were at risk.
Van Der Beek revealed in November that he had been diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer at the age of 46, before sadly passing away earlier this year. Speaking to People, the Dawson's Creek star said he decided to speak publicly about his diagnosis to encourage others to pay attention to potential warning signs.
"That's one of the reasons I want to talk about it and the reason I'm talking about it so openly," he said. "I really wanted to raise awareness."
The actor explained that, despite exercising regularly and eating well, he began noticing changes in his bowel movements during the summer of 2023. At first, he assumed his diet was responsible.
"I thought maybe I needed to stop coffee," he recalled. "Or maybe not put cream in the coffee."
When those changes made no difference, he decided to seek medical advice.
"All right, I better get this checked out."
Following a colonoscopy, Van Der Beek said he expected reassurance rather than bad news.
"I felt really good coming out of anesthesia," he said. "Then the gastroenterologist said... that it was cancer. I think I went into shock."
His experience echoes that of the late Dame Deborah James, who spent years campaigning to raise awareness of bowel cancer after being diagnosed with stage 3 disease at just 35 years old.
Despite being a vegetarian, maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking, Deborah said she experienced symptoms for years before her cancer was discovered.
Writing about her diagnosis, she explained that she noticed a persistent change in her bowel habits and was repeatedly told she was likely suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Even after blood tests and stool samples came back normal, she knew something wasn't right.
"And yet I was still losing weight, passing blood, going what felt like 100 times per day and feeling shattered," she wrote. "I knew there was something wrong with me."
It was only after paying privately for a colonoscopy that doctors found what she described as an "ugly 5.5cm cancerous, ulcerated tumour."
Both stories highlight one of the most common symptoms of bowel cancer: a persistent change in bowel habits. Other warning signs can include blood in your stool, unexplained weight loss, extreme tiredness, stomach pain or a lump in the abdomen.
While these symptoms are often caused by less serious conditions such as IBS, piles or constipation, health experts say they should never be ignored if they persist or if something simply doesn't feel right.
According to the NHS, anyone experiencing ongoing changes in their bowel habits, rectal bleeding or other concerning symptoms should speak to their GP as soon as possible. Early diagnosis significantly improves the chances of successful treatment.
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Published 15:37 11 Aug 2025 GMT
James Van Der Beek has revealed the one simple yet easily overlooked symptom that marked the start of his colorectal cancer diagnosis.
The 48-year-old actor, known for his role in Dawson's Creek, was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in November 2024.
Reflecting on his diagnosis, Van Der Beek shared that there were no major warning signs, but he did notice a change in his bowel movements - a symptom he initially attributed to his coffee consumption.
“I was healthy. I was doing the cold plunge. I was in amazing cardiovascular shape, and I had stage 3 cancer, and I had no idea,” Van Der Beek told Healthline.
Van Der Beek admitted that before his diagnosis, he didn’t know much about colorectal cancer and was unaware that the screening age had dropped to 45. “I thought it was still 50,” he added.
It wasn’t until he underwent a colonoscopy that doctors discovered the cancer.
Professor Eitan Friedman, M.D., Ph.D., an oncologist, explained that changes in bowel habits are often the primary red flag for colorectal cancer.
Other symptoms can include fatigue, blood in the stool, weight loss, loss of appetite, and abdominal discomfort. Dr. Erica Barnell, M.D., Ph.D., a physician-scientist, echoed the point, noting that many colorectal cancers develop without obvious symptoms, making early detection difficult.
For the One Tree Hill star, the change in his bowel movements seemed minor, but it was an important sign that led to his diagnosis.
He is now urging others to pay attention to their health and get screened, especially those aged 45 and older. “Screening gives us the chance to find problems early, often before you feel sick, and that can make all the difference,” Barnell added, per Fox News.
Despite the challenges of his diagnosis, Van Der Beek has faced the journey with resilience. He has made lifestyle changes to support his recovery, including adopting a keto diet, practicing yoga, and prioritizing rest.
“I’ve been finding the beauty of just taking things a little bit more slowly and prioritizing rest and really allowing that to be the job,” he explained, per Today.
Van Der Beek has also been open about how the diagnosis has reshaped his role as a father to his six children: Olivia, 14; Joshua, 13; Annabel, 11; Emilia, nine; Gwendolyn, six; and Jeremiah, two.
He has shared how his kids have stepped into caretaking roles, surprising him with their resilience. “When you tell them what you’re doing, and you tell them the approach, they can see it, and they can feel it,” Van Der Beek said. “Your journey is their journey.”
While he has had to make sacrifices, such as being unable to work or take care of his children as he normally would, he says the support from his family has been his greatest strength.
“There’s been a lot of beauty that’s come out of it,” he said, referring to the moments of tenderness when his kids made him tea or supported him through tough days.
As he continues to navigate treatment, Van Der Beek has remained active in his career, recently finishing production on Elle, a Legally Blonde prequel set to debut in 2026.
"The greatest thing about work is cancer doesn’t exist between action and cut,” he said, highlighting the joy he finds in his professional life.
Published 16:30 13 Feb 2026 GMT
James Van Der Beek shared one key symptom that everyone needs to watch out for before he tragically died at the age of just 48 from colorectal cancer.
Now, as tributes pour in to the late Dawson’s Creek star, the message seems more important than ever.
On February 11, it was announced that James Van Der Beek had died after a long struggle with colorectal cancer.
He passed away ‘peacefully’ following his two-and-a-half years living with the horrific disease.
Since then, tributes from the world of showbiz and beyond have been flooding in.
It’s clear that he was a much-loved character and will be greatly missed.
He was first diagnosed back in 2023 when a screening revealed a tumor that later developed into stage three colorectal cancer.
In a statement confirming his sad death, the 48-year-old’s family said: "Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning.
“He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace.
"There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity, and the sacredness of time.
“Those days will come.
“For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend."
But, even in death, Van Der Beek left behind a message that can help people avoid similar diagnoses to his.
During his cancer treatment, the actor shared his journey and was candid and open about his symptoms, his treatment, and - ultimately - coming to terms with his death.
He raised awareness to the very end, even encouraging people to see their doctors about a bunch of symptoms - but one in particular.
In November 2024, Van Der Beek shared the one symptom that prompted him to get checked out.
It started when he experienced a change in his bowel habits, first putting it down to his coffee intake.
Speaking to PEOPLE, he said: “I thought maybe I needed to stop coffee. Or maybe not put cream in the coffee. But when I cut that out and it didn’t improve, I thought, ‘All right, I better get this checked out.’”
His diagnosis was shocking, as it came despite him having no history of the disease and being in ‘great shape’ as well as ‘eating healthy’.
Proof - if any were needed - that it can really happen to anyone.
Discussing the moment he found out, he said: "I felt really good coming out of anesthesia, that I’d finally done it, “Then the gastroenterologist said – in his most pleasant bedside manner – that it was cancer. I think I went into shock.
"I’d always associated cancer with age and with unhealthy, sedentary lifestyles. But I was in amazing cardiovascular shape. I tried to eat healthy – or as far as I knew it at the time."
Here are a list of potential symptoms of bowel cancer - if you experience any of these, consult a doctor and get booked in for a test or screening.
* Changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you
* Needing to poo more or less often than usual for you
* Blood in your poo, which may look red or black
* Bleeding from your bottom
* Often feeling like you need to poo, even if you've just been to the toilet
* Tummy pain
* A lump in your tummy
* Bloating
* Losing weight without trying
* Feeling very tired or short of breath – these are signs of anaemia, which can be caused by bowel cancer
Published 10:24 12 Feb 2026 GMT
James Van Der Beek, the beloved actor best known for portraying Dawson Leery in the iconic teen drama Dawson’s Creek, has passed away at the age of 48 after a year-long battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer.
His wife, Kimberly, confirmed his death in a heartfelt tribute shared on social media: "Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace.
"There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity, and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now, we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend," she added.
Van Der Beek's diagnosis came after he sought medical attention for continuous changes in his bowel habits.
“It was just a change in bowel habits... I thought, I probably need to change my diet a little bit,” he recalled, per PEOPLE.
"Maybe I need to stop coffee. Maybe I need to not put cream in the coffee. And then I finally took that out of the diet, and it didn't improve, and I thought, all right, I better go get this checked out," he added.
However, his symptoms persisted, leading to the devastating diagnosis: "I felt really, really good as I was coming out of anesthesia that I had finally done it and looked into it. And as I was coming out of the haze, the gastroenterologist said - in his most pleasant bedside manner - it is cancer."
The Varsity Blues star's diagnosis underscores the growing concern around colorectal cancer, particularly among younger individuals.
The American Cancer Society recently reported that from 1995 to 2019, the percentage of colorectal cancer diagnoses in individuals under 55 nearly doubled from 11% to 20%.
Dr. Robin Mendelsohn, co-director of the Center for Young Onset Colorectal and Gastrointestinal Cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, stated: "We have seen an alarming and unsettling increase in the instance of colorectal cancer in younger people," per HuffPost.
Van Der Beek’s heartbreaking experience serves as a reminder of the importance of early detection.
While routine screenings are usually recommended for those over 45, younger individuals experiencing symptoms such as rectal bleeding, changes in stool, or abdominal pain should not hesitate to seek medical advice.
Experts have emphasized the importance of being proactive in monitoring your health, especially as early-stage colorectal cancer is highly treatable.
The Rules of Attraction star leaves behind his wife, Kimberly, and their six children, Olivia, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, Joshua, and Jeremiah, who have stood by him throughout his journey.
His final public appearance, in July 2025, was a video interview in which he expressed gratitude for the support of his fans.
An Instagram user who goes by @mickmicknyc shared a video from the visit, showing the actor wearing dark grey pants with a button-up shirt and matching jacket.
Van Der Beek had hoped to attend the Dawson’s Creek reunion in September, but his illness prevented him from being there in person.
He appeared virtually, thanking fans for their ongoing love and support, while praising his family for attending in his place.
“I have been looking forward to this night for months and months ever since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together,” he said, cited by The New York Post. “I can’t believe I’m not there. I can’t believe I don’t get to see my cast mates, my beautiful cast in person.
“And just I want to stand on that stage and thank every single person in the theater for being here tonight,” he continued. “From the cast to the crew to everybody who’s doing anything and has been so generous, and especially every single last one of you – you are the best fans in the world.”
Our thoughts continue to be with Van Der Beek's loved ones.
Published 17:08 18 Feb 2026 GMT
A former Disney Channel star has revealed she has been diagnosed with cancer after the devastating death of James Van Der Beek prompted her to prioritize her own health.
Christy Carlson Romano, 42, best known for starring in Even Stevens alongside Shia LaBeouf in 2002, shared an emotional update with fans after learning she has what she described as “stageable cancer.”
Her decision to undergo testing came after the loss of the Dawson’s Creek icon, who died aged 48 following a battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer.
Fighting back tears, Romano explained that she had met Van Der Beek several times over the years and was deeply affected by his passing.
“I was able to meet James Van Der Beek a bunch. His family is amazing, he was a pillar of our community in Texas. They were always raising money for the most amazing charities and... he's not with us any more, which is why I got this test,” she said.
The late star had been open about his diagnosis, which came after persistent changes in his bowel habits: “It was just a change in bowel habits... I thought, I probably need to change my diet a little bit,” he recalled, per PEOPLE.
"Maybe I need to stop coffee. Maybe I need to not put cream in the coffee. And then I finally took that out of the diet, and it didn't improve, and I thought, all right, I better go get this checked out," he added.
After undergoing further testing, he received life-changing news: "I felt really, really good as I was coming out of anesthesia that I had finally done it and looked into it. And as I was coming out of the haze, the gastroenterologist said - in his most pleasant bedside manner - it is cancer."
His wife, Kimberly, confirmed his death in a tribute shared on social media: "Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace.
"There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity, and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now, we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend," she added.
The Rules of Attraction star leaves behind Kimberly and their six children, Olivia, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, Joshua, and Jeremiah.
Christy revealed that cancer had touched her family before, making the diagnosis especially frightening.
“Both my parents had cancer. My mom beat it, my dad eventually didn't, my grandmother on my mom's side had lung cancer and died from that. I got the results back a little bit before filming down in Florida [last December],” she wrote on Instagram.
The Special Forces: World's Toughest Test contestant admitted she is now preparing for further testing.
“Right now the news is that something is going on. I’m nervous and a bit scared (heck who wouldn’t be!). I’m going in for a PET scan later this week and hopefully it’s something easy to treat. I debated whether or not I was going to post this because I was afraid I’d come off 'cringe.'
"But I decided it was my duty to share, so that people get out there and get screenings. Let’s keep the good vibes going and I will keep you all posted as I get more information," she added.
The actress also spoke candidly about her fears for her family, particularly her two young daughters: "I'm sure people think I'm overreacting, but I'm not because cancer's pretty f*****g serious and I have two little girls. This is a very emotional post."
Her husband, Brendan, responded publicly to his wife’s message of vulnerability and strength, writing: "You got this my beautiful wife. We will figure this out and destroy any problem that comes your way. I love you beyond words."
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