James Van Der Beek shared one colon cancer symptom that led to tragic diagnosis and death

The entertainment industry is grappling with a profound sense of loss today following the news that James Van Der Beek—the actor who defined a generational era of television before evolving into a poignant voice for cancer awareness—has died. He was 48 years old.

Van Der Beek passed away “peacefully” on Wednesday, February 11, concluding a courageous two-and-a-half-year journey with stage 3 colorectal cancer. For fans who grew up alongside him, watching his transition from the sensitive, introspective Joey Potter’s soulmate to a devoted father of six, the news comes as a staggering blow. He is survived by his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their six children.

In an intimate statement shared via Instagram, the Van Der Beek family confirmed the news while honoring the dignity with which he navigated his final chapters:

“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. 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.”

The Symptom He Almost Ignored

While many public figures retreat into privacy following a terminal diagnosis, Van Der Beek chose a different path. He became a candid, often vulnerable advocate, determined to dismantle the stigma surrounding colorectal cancer—specifically for younger adults who frequently operate under the dangerous assumption that they are statistically invincible.

His own entry into the world of oncology began not with a dramatic crisis, but with a subtle, persistent shift in his physical baseline. He initially attributed changes in his bowel habits to his diet, attempting to self-diagnose by tweaking his morning routine.

“I thought maybe I needed to stop coffee,” he told People magazine during his treatment. “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.’”

Even as he prepared for a colonoscopy, Van Der Beek remained optimistic. He was the picture of health: a regular at the gym, a conscious eater, and a man with no known family history of the disease. He recalled feeling a sense of accomplishment after the procedure, simply happy to have checked a box on his “to-do” list.

The reality, delivered by his gastroenterologist upon waking from anesthesia, was a seismic shock.

“I felt really good coming out of anesthesia, that I’d finally done it,” he recounted. “Then the gastroenterologist said—in his most pleasant bedside manner—that it was cancer. I think I went into shock.”

A Growing Crisis Among Younger Adults

Van Der Beek’s diagnosis of stage 3 colorectal cancer forced him to confront his own preconceptions about the disease. “I’d always associated cancer with age and with unhealthy, sedentary lifestyles,” he admitted. “But I was in amazing cardiovascular shape. I tried to eat healthy—or as far as I knew it at the time.”

His story is a high-profile example of a disturbing epidemiological trend. In the United States, approximately 150,000 people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer annually. Perhaps most alarming is that it has surged to become the leading cause of cancer-related death for men and women under the age of 50.

Medical professionals have expressed increasing alarm over this shift. Dr. John Marshall, of Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center and a consultant for the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, noted that the demographic landscape of his clinic has changed radically over three decades.

“We’re now starting to see more and more people in the 20-, 30- and 40-year-old range developing colon cancer,” Marshall told the Associated Press. “At the beginning of my career, nobody that age had colorectal cancer. That shift is shaking us all, to be blunt.”

Understanding the Risks and Red Flags

Early detection remains the most powerful tool in the medical arsenal; when caught in its nascent stages, the survival rate for colorectal cancer is exceptionally high. However, the disease is often “silent” or characterized by symptoms that are easily dismissed as minor gastrointestinal upsets.

Health organizations emphasize that while age, family history, and inflammatory bowel disease are significant risk factors, lifestyle choices also play a role. Factors that can increase risk include:

• Excess body weight and sedentary behavior.
• Diets high in red or processed meats.
• Low intake of fiber, fruits, and vegetables.
• Heavy alcohol consumption and smoking.

To combat the rise in early-onset cases, experts urge the public to be vigilant regarding the following symptoms:

• Persistent changes in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool).
• Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool (which may appear bright red or dark and tarry).
• Abdominal distress, such as persistent cramping, gas, or pain.
• A feeling of incomplete evacuation after using the bathroom.
• Unexplained weight loss, fatigue, or shortness of breath.

James Van Der Beek’s legacy will undoubtedly be tied to the iconic roles he played on screen, but for many, his most impactful performance was his final one: a man who used his platform to save lives by being honest about his own. He leaves behind a family, a legion of fans, and a vital reminder that health is never something to be taken for granted.