Gastroenterologist explains what you 'need to know' about early onset colon cancer

A medical expert has divulged exactly what you need to do about the early symptoms of colon cancer following the death of Dawson’s Creek actor, James Van Der Beek.

On 11 February, the family of the beloved American star announced that he had died ‘peacefully’ three years after being diagnosed with colorectal cancer, aged 48.

“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,” an Instagram tribute read.

Colorectal cancer usually begins with cell growth inside the colon or rectum, with treatment options including surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy.

Prior to his diagnosis, Van Der Beek believed his coffee and cream consumption had caused a change in bowel habits.

Actor James Van Der Beek died three years after his cancer diagnosis (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)

However, after cutting out the caffeinated beverage, his symptoms continued, eventually leading to his ‘shocking’ colon cancer diagnosis.

Will Bulsiewicz, known as Dr B and the Gut Health MD on social media, wants people to understand that colon cancer - the third most common cancer worldwide, accounting for around 10 percent of all cancer cases, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) - is ‘often preventable’.

In an Instagram video, posted in the wake of the father-of-six’s death, the medical professional said that colon cancer rates were ‘rising’ in younger adults.

“You need to know this is often preventable - that’s why we lowered the screening age from 50 to 45,” he stated.

“If you’re 45 or older, you don’t wait for symptoms; you get screened. If you have a family history, you start even earlier.”

The American Cancer Society previously stated that colorectal cancer deaths in people under 50 have risen 1.1 percent annually since 2005.

Moreover, it is now classed as the leading cause of cancer death in Americans under 50, surpassing lung cancer, as per a 2026 study published in the peer-reviewed Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

The gastroenterologist continued, claiming that if you experience a puzzling change in bowel habits, just like Van Der Beek, then you shouldn’t ‘ignore it’.

“At any age if you have: bleeding, a change in bowel habits, unexplained anaemia, persistent abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, don’t ignore it, get checked.

“As a gastroenterologist, I’ve removed precancerous polyps that would have become cancer. That’s what a colonoscopy can do.”

A colonoscopy is an examination of the inside of your large intestine that can help investigate early symptoms.

According to the Mayo Clinic, it can also be used to detect other conditions besides cancer, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and diverticular disease.

A colonoscopy can help detect early cancer signs (Athim Tongloom/Getty Stock Image)

Making a case for the examination, Dr Bulsiewicz reasoned in his video: “It can prevent cancer or catch it early when it’s most curable. So I am asking you, please: book the colonoscopy. The earlier the better. Do it for yourself, do it for your family.”

According to Lauren Manaker, an award-winning registered dietitian, your daily habits can ‘play a massive role’ in the health of your colon.

Writing for EatingWell, she explained that the ‘cornerstone’ of a colon-healthy diet is fibre.

“Fibre feeds the beneficial bacteria in your gut, which in turn produce short-chain fatty acids like butyrate,’ she explained.

The new US dietary guidelines for 2025-2030 suggest prioritising fibre-rich whole grains and eating between two and four servings per day.

In the UK, government guidelines recommend that adults consume around 30g of fibre per day.

Good sources of fibre include: lentils, legumes, pulses, seeds and nuts, various fruits, oats, and snacks like popcorn and bran cereals.

Manaker also made a case for limiting ultra-processed meats, such as ready-to-eat burgers, bacon, sausages, and hotdogs.

This is due to a report by the ICR and the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) finding that eating these processed meats can increase the risk of colorectal cancer, with the more you eat, the greater the risk.