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Dawsonâs Creek star James Van Der Beek diagnosed with colon cancer; Know how silent cancer grows rapidly
James Van Der Beek is diagnosed with colon cancer; The actor revealed this in a recent interview. The forty-seven-year-old Dawsonâs Creek star said he is âdealing with this diagnosis privatelyâ and has âreason for optimismâ. Doctors say that colon or colorectal cancer usually starts with small growths in the colon or rectum called polyps. Colon and rectal cancers are grouped together because they have similar symptoms. Read on to know more.
Despite the diagnosis, the 47-year-old said there was âreason for optimismâ and he was âfeeling goodâ as he announced in an interview
Dawsonâs Creek star James Van Der Beek revealed he has been diagnosed with colon or colorectal cancer. Despite the diagnosis, the 47-year-old said that there was âreason for optimismâ and that he was âfeeling goodâ as he announced in an interview. Der Beek made his name playing the role of Dawson Leary in the American teen drama series from 1998â2003 and is set to appear in the American Fox special called The Real Full Monty.
âI have colorectal cancer. I am personally dealing with this diagnosis and taking steps to resolve it with the support of my incredible family,â he said. âThere is reason for optimism, and Iâm feeling good.â
According to the American Cancer Society, bowel or colorectal cancer usually begins in small growths called polyps in the colon or rectum. Colon and rectal cancers are grouped together because they have similar symptoms. Doctors say polyps are quite common â especially as you age. Most polyps are benign or noncancerous, however, some can turn into cancer over time.
How does colon cancer affect you?
Doctors say that due to this cancer, the wall of your colon made of layers of mucous membrane, tissue and muscles is the first to be affected. Cancer cells affect the mucosa, which forms and releases mucus and other fluids, which begin to mutate or change, forming a colon polyp. Over time, colon polyps become cancerous â over a period of about ten years.
If it is not detected or treated, cancer works its way through the tissue, muscle, and outer layer of your colon. Colon cancer can also spread to other parts of your body through your lymph nodes or blood vessels.
According to experts, colon cancer is the third most common cancer found in people in America. The CDC says men are slightly more likely to develop colon cancer than women. It usually affects people aged 50 and older, but over the past decade, the number of people aged 20â49 diagnosed with colon cancer has increased by about 1.5 percent each year. Medical researchers arenât sure why this is happening.
Colon Cancer Symptoms and Signs
The early symptoms of colon cancer are similar to those of less serious conditions, some of which include:
- blood in your stool
- frequent changes in your bowel habits
- pain in the stomach or abdomen
- Swelling
- unexplained weight loss
- persistent vomiting and nausea
- fatigue and shortness of breath
What causes colon cancer,
Even though scientists arenât sure what causes colon cancer, there are certain risk factors that increase the chance of people developing precancerous polyps and colon cancer. Those risk factors include:
- certain medical conditions, including hereditary conditions and lifestyle choices
- genetic issues
- smoking
- excessive alcohol consumption
- obesity
- A diet that includes a lot of red meat
- lack of physical activity
- other medical conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease
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