Less than two months before he died of colorectal cancer at just 48, James Van Der Beek, said, “you can have no symptoms and still have cancer” – words that highlight why early screening matters, no matter how old you are.

His warning reflects a much larger reality – that colorectal cancer remains one of the world’s deadliest cancers.

In 2020 alone, an estimated 930,000 people died from the disease worldwide – a number expected to rise in the coming years. In the United States, it is projected to cause approximately 55,230 deaths in 2026, making it the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men and women combined, the American Cancer Society (ACS) reports.

Behind those staggering statistics are real lives – and in recent years, several high-profile deaths have put a face to the disease.

Chadwick Boseman, the beloved Black Panther star, was just 43 when he died of colorectal cancer in 2020. Now, James Van Der Beek, who would have turned 49 on March 8, has become the latest high-profile name to tragically lose his life to the same disease.

Coffee and a colonoscopy

In a November 2024 interview with People, the Dawson’s Creek star said that he was only 46 when he was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer.

“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,” the father of six shared.

The Varsity Blues actor explained that in the summer of 2023, he started to notice unusual symptoms with his bowel movements. At first, he brushed them off.

“I thought maybe I needed to stop coffee,” he told People. “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.’”

He then had a colonoscopy and admitted that he felt “really good” afterward, making the news that followed even more shocking.

“Then the gastroenterologist said – in his most pleasant bedside manner – that it was cancer. I think I went into shock,” he said.

Signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer can be difficult to spot in its early stages, which is why awareness of subtle changes in the body is so important.

According to the ACS, warning signs often begin quietly – persistent stomach discomfort, unexplained weight loss, or unusual fatigue. Some people may notice rectal bleeding or darker stools, while others experience ongoing cramps or pressure in the lower abdomen.

A feeling that the bowel hasn’t completely emptied after using the bathroom can also be a signal that something isn’t right. Shifts in normal bathroom habits – like prolonged constipation, frequent diarrhoea, or changes in stool consistency – shouldn’t be ignored, especially if they last more than a few weeks. When symptoms linger, medical advice is crucial.

Treatment

Treatment for colon cancer often begins with surgery to remove the tumor, but that’s usually just one part of the plan. Depending on how advanced the cancer is and where it’s located, doctors may also recommend chemotherapy or radiation therapy to target remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of it returning.

According to the Mayo Clinic, treatment decisions are carefully tailored to each patient — taking into account the stage of the disease, overall health, and personal preferences.

Early screening remains one of the most powerful tools in catching the disease before it spreads, improving outcomes.

‘No symptoms and still have cancer’

Van Der Beek, who delayed getting checked himself, had a chat with NBC 6 on December 20, 2025 and stressed that early screening is critical.

“You know, I got a colonoscopy because there are a couple of things that are happening, but nothing that made me rush to the doctor,” he told the outlet less than two months before his death.

Screening is now recommended starting at age 50 – 45 in some regions – yet millions of people continue to postpone the test – often because they assume they would feel if something were wrong.

“I think the biggest misconception is the same one I had, which is that you need to have something seriously wrong with you to get screened for colorectal cancer. You don’t. You can have no symptoms and still have cancer,” the star of Dancing with the Stars warned.

That realization reshaped his understanding of prevention entirely.

“I’ve seen firsthand how it can save lives. I’ve had people I know get screened, get it taken care of, and move on with their life, and not have to go through the journey that I’ve been on.”

End of the journey

For Van Der Beek, the journey came to an end on Feb. 11.

“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,” his family shared in a heartbreaking Facebook post. “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.

After revealing his diagnosis to the world, Van Der Beek made it his mission to spread awareness – and his message was clear and urgent: get screened.

As the world mourns his loss, please share this story with your friends and help pass on Van Der Beek’s message about early screening!