Colorectal Cancer Rising in Young Adults as Actor James Van Der Beek Dies at 48

Actor James Van Der Beek died on February 11, 2026, at the age of 48 from colorectal cancer. Van Der Beek, best known for his role on the television show Dawson's Creek, had revealed his diagnosis to the public on November 3, 2024, in a social media post tied to a cover story in People magazine. He was diagnosed with stage III disease after noticing a change in his bowel movements and undergoing a colonoscopy at age 46.

Van Der Beek's experience reflects a broader trend in the United States, where colorectal cancer rates in people under 50 have been on the rise for years. Colorectal cancer rates increased by nearly 3% per year from 2013 to 2022 in younger people, even as overall rates have been dropping, likely due to proactive screening. Deaths from colorectal cancer have been decreasing by 1.5% per year in older adults, likely due to increased screening and improved treatment options. However, in adults younger than 55 years, death rates have increased by about 1% per year since the mid-2000s.

A study published in JAMA in January 2026 examined US cancer mortality rates for 1990 to 2023 in people younger than 50 years. The researchers reported that death rates among younger people had fallen for the most common cancers. In contrast, colorectal cancer advanced "from fifth most common from 1990 through 1994 to the most common cancer death in 2023."

The most common signs and symptoms for early-onset colorectal cancer are blood in the stool, abdominal pain and a change in bowel habits, or any combination of these conditions. Unexplained anemia, or low red blood cell levels, is another potential symptom.

Researchers have identified a number of factors associated with increasing numbers of young people developing colorectal cancer, but there is no one clear answer that explains this trend. Lifestyle factors like ultra-processed foods and alcohol, as well as lack of exercise, have been linked to early-onset colorectal cancer. However, these are correlations that aren't proven to be the cause of colorectal cancer in young adults. Eating a lot of red meat and processed foods and not enough dietary fiber can increase risk of colorectal cancer. Alcohol also causes cancer — even having less than one drink a day can increase cancer risk. Smoking, obesity and lack of exercise are other factors that increase cancer risk.

Many researchers are focusing on the gut microbiome, which is an ecosystem of microorganisms in the gut that helps the body digest food and carry out other important functions. When the microbes in the gut are out of balance – a condition called dysbiosis – this causes a disruption that allows for inflammation and negative health effects, including increased cancer risk. In early-onset colorectal cancer specifically, researchers have also implicated factors such as exposure to colibactin-producing bacteria and lower socioeconomic status in colorectal cancer incidence and death, respectively.

Finding cancer at an early stage can lead to five-year survival rates as high as 80% to 90%. When cancer is detected at an advanced stage where it has spread to other parts of the body, survival rates are closer to 10% to 15%. One study found that young patients with metastatic colon cancer had a slightly lower survival rate compared with those age 50 or older.

People with an average risk for colorectal cancer typically have no personal or significant family history of colorectal cancer, hereditary cancer, precancerous polyps or inflammatory bowel disease. Screening is recommended to begin at age 45 and should continue at regular intervals until age 75. People with a high risk of colon cancer typically have a personal or family history of colorectal cancer, hereditary cancer or inflammatory bowel disease. They may also have several lifestyle risk factors. Colonoscopy is the only recommended screening test for those with high risk, and earlier and more frequent screening may be necessary.

Colonoscopy is a procedure that allows physicians to directly look into the colon or the large intestine using a thin, flexible camera to look for polyps or early cancers. Colonoscopy is a very effective colon cancer screening test because not only does it provide the opportunity to look at lesions, but also to remove them when they're there. Polyps can grow into cancers when they stay in the colon for a long period of time, at least some of them can. Patients are asked to take a bowel prep, which is the most unpleasant part of a colonoscopy, but it is a critical step that allows physicians to see clearly when doing a colonoscopy. Patients meet with an anesthesiologist and receive sedation or anesthesia for the procedure, so patients are very comfortable throughout the procedure.

Van Der Beek and his family struggled with costs related to cancer treatment. Last year, the actor sold memorabilia from his time on Dawson's Creek to defray expenses related to his colorectal cancer treatment. In the wake of his death, a GoFundMe account has been set up to support his family. The Van Der Beek family's use of crowdfunding mirrors that of many Americans who have turned to these sites for help with costs associated with cancer treatment. One study found that 35.9% of cancer-related GoFundMe campaigns cited medical financial hardships or health-related social needs, including medical costs, insurance coverage denial, employment disruption, income loss, and lack of sick leave.

In July 2025, Van Der Beek urged people to pay attention to possible symptoms and to begin getting screened for colorectal cancer at 45 years of age. When he went public with his cancer, he told People he wanted to help "raise awareness" of the disease. "I'd always associated cancer with age and with unhealthy, sedentary lifestyles. But I was in amazing cardiovascular shape," Van Der Beek told People. "I tried to eat healthy — or as far as I knew it at the time."