James Van Der Beek reveals he has colorectal cancer, but ‘feels great’ – National
James Van Der Beek was diagnosed with colorectal cancerrevealing the news in a exclusive interview with People over the weekend.
“I have colorectal cancer. I faced this diagnosis privately and took steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family,” the 47-year-old said. Dawson Creek the star told the publication. “There is reason to be optimistic and I feel good.”
The actor did not give further details about his diagnosis, but shared in an Instagram post on Sunday: “I’m in a good place and feel strong.”
“So far, I have handled this privately, undergoing treatment and looking after my overall health more carefully than ever,” he continued on Instagram. “It’s been quite an introduction, and I’ll tell you more when I’m ready.”
In the post, he said he decided to make the announcement ahead of what he had planned, explaining that while he wanted to talk “at length” about it with People, another post was about to tell the story.
“…This plan had to be changed early this morning when I was informed that a tabloid was going to publish the news,” Van Der Beek wrote.
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A a growing number of young people Colorectal cancer is diagnosed in Canada and the United States, although the total number of cases and deaths has declined in recent years.
One in five cases diagnosed in 2019 were in people younger than 55, nearly double the 1995 rate of 11%, according to a 2023 study from the American Cancer Society.
The situation is similar in Canada, where colorectal cancer is the fourth most commonly diagnosed canceraccording to the Canadian Cancer Society.
“The prices would be increasing among younger adults more than 50 in Canada and the United States,” said Elizabeth Holmes, senior director of health policy at the Canadian Cancer Society, in an interview with Global News last year.
Earlier this year, Colorectal Cancer Canada warned of rising rates, calling it a “alarming” increase in cases in young adults.
“The incidence of colorectal cancer among young adults under the age of 50 has increased rapidly in recent years, challenging conventional perceptions that this disease is a disease of the elderly,” the agency said in February.
“This alarming reality is a stark reminder that vigilance and advocacy are essential in the fight against colorectal cancer. »
A petition started by one patient and signed by thousands of people was tabled in the Ontario Provincial Legislature around the same time, calling for the age criteria used for fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) and colonoscopy is lowered from 50 to 30.
The petition launched by Bishop Brigante, who was diagnosed with colorectal cancer last fall, says lower the age criteria for screening will save lives.
Colorectal cancer starts in the colon or rectum – part of the large intestine – and can also spread to other parts of the body.
Poor diet, physical inactivity, smoking and alcohol consumption increase the risks of this type of cancer, but family history is also a contributing factor.
Colorectal cancer symptoms and screening
Since the early 2000s, colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates have declined, likely due to a reduction in modifiable risk factors, improvements in screening and advances in treatment, Holmes told Global News.
Some of the symptoms of colorectal cancer Things to watch for include blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss and a change in bowel habits like diarrhea or constipation, she said.
Canadian provinces have routine colorectal cancer screening programs recommended for people aged 50 to 74.
Besides regular screening, there are other ways to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.
These include avoiding red and processed meat, limiting alcohol consumption, increasing physical activity and eating plenty of vegetables, fruits and fiber, Holmes said.
In Canada, the current five-year survival rate for colorectal cancer is approximately 67 percent.
— With files from Saba Aziz of Global News
© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
