The recent death of James Van Der Beek, who starred in the popular show Dawson’s Creek, underscored the increasing risk of colorectal cancer in younger people.

Van Der Beek was just 48 when he died on Feb. 11. He had publicly acknowledged his cancer diagnosis in 2024 and hoped that he could successfully fight it. But Van Der Beek is one of a growing number of people who are facing potentially deadly cases of colorectal cancer at younger and younger ages.

Colon and rectal cancers used to be diseases that were much more common in older people. But colonoscopies have made a huge difference in early diagnosis and treatment of these cancers, thus dramatically driving down deaths in older adults who get screened for colorectal cancer.

New data from the American Cancer Society highlight the alarming dangers, however, of colon cancer to younger people, like Van Der Beek.

Here’s a snapshot of the American Cancer Society’s recent findings on colon cancer in younger people:

• Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S.
• Among people younger than age 50, colorectal cancer is the No. 1 cause of cancer deaths in the U.S.
• Nearly half of newly identified cases of colon cancer now occur in people ages 64 and younger.
• Colorectal cancer cases among adults aged 65 and older have declined by about 2.5% each year between 2013 and 2022. Deaths from colorectal cancer have declined by a similar rate in this age group.
• In sharp contrast, colorectal cancer cases among younger adults — ages 20 to 49 — rose 3% each year during the same period from 2013 to 2022. And deaths from colorectal cancer in people younger than age 50 have increased by about 1% each year in recent decades.
• Medical experts don’t know exactly why colorectal cancer cases are rising in younger people. But more than half of colorectal cancer cases likely are connected with risk factors that people can change. These include cigarette smoking, unhealthy diets full of too many highly processed foods, high alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity and excess body weight.
• Adopting healthier habits can reduce the risk of getting colorectal cancer and other types of cancer.
• Screenings, including colonoscopies, also save lives. People who are 45 and older should get screened for colorectal cancer. Younger people who have a history of colon cancer in their families should talk with their doctor about getting screened at a younger age.

“The overall incidence of colorectal cancer is going down. However, among individuals below the age of 50, the incidence of colorectal cancer is going up,’’ said Dr. Robert Hoyer, a cancer expert at UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central who also cares for patients throughout southern Colorado.

To learn more about colorectal cancer in young people, we asked Hoyer some of your top questions.

How does colorectal cancer develop?

Colorectal cancer develops in the digestive system. Polyps are growths that can occur in different parts of the body, including the colon and the stomach. Some polyps have the potential to grow into certain types of cancer.

‘’Colon and rectal cancers will start as a polyp,’’ Hoyer said. ‘’Screenings help identify these polyps and remove them with colonoscopy, which prevents the development of cancer.’’

The polyp is not cancer, but it could be a precancerous growth in the colon.

‘‘When these polyps are identified early, the survival rate for early-stage colon cancer is extremely high, it exceeds 98%,’’ Hoyer said.

What are the signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer?

The chief signs of colorectal cancer relate to topics that some people find embarrassing to discuss: abdominal issues, gastrointestinal issues and issues related to pooping or emptying your bowels.

It’s vital to talk about any concerns you might have related to blood in your stools or other concerning symptoms because it literally can be a matter of life and death when it comes to preventing colorectal cancer cases and deaths.

People of all ages — including those in their 20s, 30s and 40s — should pay close attention to the following symptoms or changes in bowel habits, including:

• Changes in bowel habits
• Unintentional weight loss
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Rectal bleeding
• Blood in your stool
• Persistent abdominal issues, such as cramps or case
• Nausea, vomiting or fatigue
• Any abdominal pain

Some patients who are dealing with colorectal cancer also notice that their bowels don’t empty completely, or they might have unexplained fatigue or weight loss.

Some warning signs of colorectal cancer can be confusing because they may look very similar to other common conditions, such as hemorrhoids, Hoyer said.

‘‘The biggest warning signs can be changes in bowel habits and blood in the stool.  If you’re having those symptoms, it’s important to talk with your doctor,’’ he said.

While some of the symptoms of colorectal cancer may be caused by other health issues, it’s vital to rule out colorectal cancer.

‘’Early warnings or symptoms could be attributed to diagnoses other than cancer,’’ Hoyer said. ‘’If the symptoms persist, consider consulting with a gastroenterologist about the possibility of a colonoscopy.’’

Why is screening for colorectal cancer so important?

Screening for colorectal cancer is critical because it saves lives.

People should discuss colorectal cancer screenings with their doctors at least once a year.

Cancer screening can make a huge difference in both the treatment and a person’s survival if they do have colorectal cancer, Hoyer said.

‘‘Take time to talk with your doctor and learn how to reduce your cancer risk,” Hoyer said. “If cancer develops, learn how to identify it early. This can have a big impact on your overall quality of life and your length of life.

‘‘With a colonoscopy, we have the ability to identify the polyp and with a small instrument at the end of the colonoscopy, the gastroenterologist can simply cut out the polyp and send it to pathology for testing.’’

The pathology report then determines whether the polyps are benign or malignant, meaning it clarifies if they are non‑cancerous or cancerous.

Who should be screened for colorectal cancer? At what age do I need to start with colon cancer screenings?

People need to start regular screenings for colorectal cancer starting at age 45. Anyone who has a history of colorectal cancer in their family likely will need to start getting screenings at a younger age.

‘‘If you’re age 45 and older, you need to have some form of colon cancer screening test,” Hoyer said.

What is the gold-standard screening test to detect, prevent and treat colorectal cancer?

The best screening for colorectal cancer is a colonoscopy. That’s because doctors can snip any polyps they find during a colonoscopy, thus preventing colon cancer before it develops. A negative colonoscopy also provides protection for up to 10 years. (Some people who are at higher risk of getting colorectal cancers may need a colonoscopy more often than every 10 years.)

People who worry about getting a colonoscopy can also do stool tests, but these require annual screening.

What are stool-based tests? What are the advantages and disadvantages of stool-based colorectal cancer screening tests?

People can use stool-based tests at home.

To use one of these tests, you collect a fecal sample while you’re going to the bathroom and mail it back to the test providers. Lab workers then analyze the stool sample to look for possible signs of colorectal cancer or polyps, including small amounts of blood or changes in the DNA or RNA from cells in the stool, according to experts at the American Cancer Society.

The advantage of a stool-based test is that it’s relatively easy and quick.

“The stool kit can be sent to your house. You just have to provide a stool sample, place it in the container, add the buffer, screw on the cap, mail it back and you’re done. It’s very easy,” Hoyer said.

But the disadvantage of stool-based tests for colorectal cancers is that if you have an abnormal result, you still will need a colonoscopy to determine whether or not you have cancer.

And people who opt for stool-based tests need to do them frequently, whereas people who get colonoscopies only need to get them every 10 years or so.

What are fecal immunochemical tests?

The Fecal immunochemical test is a stool test that helps identify blood in the stool via antibodies. It does not require a prescription. Detecting blood in the stool is important because it can be a sign of precancerous polyps or colorectal cancer. If a positive result is received, a colonoscopy will be highly recommended. If the result is negative, the test should be done every three to five years.

Why are cancer screenings of all types so important?

It’s simple. Cancer screenings are critical because they save lives.

‘‘Technology now allows for very effective and easy screenings for most cancers,’’ Hoyer said. ‘‘Cancer screening can help to identify cancer at an early stage, and then the treatment is much more likely to be curative if the cancer is diagnosed early.’’

Learn how AI is helping with colonoscopies.

Lifestyle changes can help reduce colon cancer cases in younger adults

While medical experts don’t know exactly why colorectal cancer rates are climbing so dramatically in younger people, they suspect that unhealthy habits are playing a role.

‘‘We believe the increased rates of colorectal cancer in younger individuals are probably related to lifestyle changes, for example, changes in diet, the microbiome and the flora of the gut,’’ Hoyer said.

To help prevent colorectal cancer and live healthier lives in general, everyone should focus on making better lifestyle choices. Try to be as physically active as possible and focus on eating a healthy diet, including plenty of fruits, vegetables, fish, dietary fiber and dairy products.

Eating a diet that includes too much red meat and too many highly processed foods can increase the risk of getting colorectal cancer, as can drinking too much alcohol and smoking cigarettes.

Nearly half of Americans aren’t aware that eating processed meat increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer.

“In general, I counsel my patients to eat diets higher in fruits and vegetables. These are protective diets. My recommendation is to lower meat consumption in general, particularly red meat,’’ Hoyer said. “Red meat is also associated with a higher overall risk of other diseases, such as cardiovascular mortality.

‘’If you have risk factors or a family history of colon cancer, it’s important to talk with your doctor,” Hoyer said.

You may be eligible for free testing kits to help prevent colorectal cancer

To help increase screening rates and support people who live in remote areas or who don’t have health insurance, the University of Colorado Anschutz Cancer Center’s Office of Community Outreach and Engagement offers free FIT kits to uninsured and underinsured residents. The process is simple. Eligible individuals can request a kit, complete the test at home and return it using a prepaid envelope. Those who test positive will receive a colonoscopy at no cost, funded by the Colon Cancer Coalition.

To order a colorectal cancer screening test, visit https://bit.ly/FreeFIT or call 720-441-2529. You can also email [email protected]. Voicemail messages are available in both Spanish and English.