The tragic death of Dawson’s Creek actor James Van Der Beek on February 11, 2026has refocused attention on colorectal cancer. Long thought to be a disease that affects the elderly, Van Der Beek’s death has raised questions about how susceptible young people today are to the risks of colorectal cancer.
This is what everyone should know.
Catching something early can prevent serious health problems later.
What is colorectal cancer?
Colorectal cancer is a general term that describes cancer of the colon and rectum, which are part of the colon. Individual cancers are treated differently. Cancers can occur in the colon or rectum, or both.
Are more and more young people getting colon cancer?
According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer rates are the same for children under age 50 has increased by approximately 3% per year since 2010. Since 2005, death rates for colorectal cancer among those over 50 have increased by 1% annually.
Rates of early-onset colorectal cancer are expected to increase over the next ten years. Since 2024, Better2Know has seen a 200% increase in all requests for at-home cancer testing, reflecting growing concerns about people’s long-term susceptibility to cancer.
The cause of this increase in colorectal cancers is still unknown. But researchers have some theories…
What increases my risk?
There are many factors associated with colorectal cancer, many of which are within our control.
Alcohol
Drinking alcohol can increase the risk of developing many cancers, including colorectal cancer. Alcohol consumption can lead to: tumor formation by causing mutations that disrupt normal cell reproduction.
Diet
Lots of food eating red meat, processed meat and not enough dietary fiber may increase your risk of cancer.
Other nutritional risk factors may include:
- Have low vitamin D levels
- Preparing meat at high temperatures (frying, boiling and grilling)
- Not eating enough fruits and vegetables
- Failure to maintain a healthy gut microbiome, which can lead to inflammation
Smoking
A 2025 editorial in BMJ Oncology states that epidemiological evidence supports an association between cigarette smoking and an increased risk of colorectal cancer, and that this risk increases in a dose-dependent manner (the more you smoke, the higher the risk). Smoking too increases your risk of developing early-onset colorectal cancer.
Obesity
Obesity significantly increases the risk of colorectal cancer, contributes to a large number of colorectal cancer deaths worldwide, and is part of the cluster of lifestyle factors driving rising CRC rates in younger adults.
Diabetes
People with type 2 diabetes mellitus are more likely to develop colorectal cancer, possibly due to high insulin levels.
Genetics
You are more likely to develop colorectal cancer if you:
- Are male
- Have had a cholecystectomy (surgical removal of the gallbladder)
- Have a history of colorectal polyps
- Have a history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Have a family history of colorectal cancer
- If you have a hereditary syndrome such as Lynch syndrome and familial adenomatous polyposis
What is the survival rate?
Finding cancer at a young age can lead to five-year survival rates that can be so high 80% to 90%. When cancer is discovered at an advanced stage, where the disease has spread to other parts of the body, the chances of survival are much lower.
What are the early symptoms?
The telltale signs of colorectal cancer are easy to recognize:
- Blood in the stool
- Abdominal pain
- Change in bowel habits (longer periods of constipation or diarrhea)
- Sudden weight loss
- Unexplained anemia
- Low red blood cell count
If you have any of these symptoms, it may not mean you have colorectal cancer. If you are concerned about your risk of cancer, get tested and seek medical care.
How am I screened for colorectal cancer?
That’s possible get tested for colon cancer with a convenient test at home, or with a test available at a health clinic near you.
Most tests for colorectal cancer use a stool sample, which is tested for occult blood that can indicate the presence of cancer.
How do I reduce my risk of developing colon cancer?
While you’re figuring out if you have colorectal cancer, you can increase your chances of preventing it in the future with some simple lifestyle changes, including:
- Less alcohol: There is no safe amount of alcohol, so reducing your consumption to as little as possible will help improve your health.
- Do not eat red meat and processed meat: Eating large amounts of red and processed meat will significantly reduce the risk of developing various types of cancer.
- Get plenty of exercise: Regular exercise will improve your mortality rate, regardless of the cause. Improving your fitness and developing more muscle mass can help you control your insulin levels, reducing your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Eat fruits, vegetables, and other foods high in fiber: Fill your diet with plenty of whole grains, fiber and leafy vegetables, seeds, legumes, beans and a variety of fruits. This will give you the fiber you need to keep colorectal cancer at bay.
Final thoughts
Most cancers can be treated if caught early. But that means you need to take action as soon as you suspect something is wrong. Contact Better2Know today to arrange a colon cancer test.
Protect your health.
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