James Van Der Beek’s Death Highlights the Importance of Screening at 45
Beloved Dawson’s Creek actor James Van Der Beek died aged 48 on February 11, 2026.
As the news broke, friends and former co-stars reached out with messages of support and sorrow. They all spoke of the actor’s talent and kindness, specifically how when the cameras stopped rolling, he would still show up to help.
Katie Holmes, former “Dawson’s Creek” co-star, posted a handwritten tribute, calling him “beloved,” while also sending love to his wife and children.
It was November 2024 when Van Der Beek revealed that he had a stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis. In September 2025, he was expected to join a “Dawson’s Creek” reunion, but he had to step back for health reasons.
During the last few months, Van Der Beek had been talking about how his colorectal cancer was discovered. Fox News reported he said he felt healthy and was in strong cardiovascular shape, with no obvious red flags that made him think something serious was happening.
Then came a small change, a simple shift in his bowel movements. He chalked it up to diet. However, when he later went in for a colonoscopy, it revealed the stage 3 diagnosis.
A key aspect Van Der Beek said he didn’t realize was that the recommended screening age had dropped to 45. He thought it was still 50.
What is colorectal cancer?
Colorectal cancer starts in the colon or the rectum, parts of the large intestine, and it is often grouped under one name because the two cancers share many features.
As the American Cancer Society states, it can begin when abnormal growths like polyps change over time.
For those uncertain of what cancer is, it’s a group of diseases where abnormal cells grow out of control and crowd out normal cells. According to the American Cancer Society, those cells can also invade nearby tissue and sometimes spread to other parts of the body.
Early symptoms to take seriously
The American Cancer Society shows colorectal cancer may not cause symptoms right away, but when it does, they can look like this:
- A change in bowel habits that lasts more than a few days, for example, diarrhea, constipation, or narrower stools.
- Feeling like you still need to go, even after a bowel movement.
- Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool, for example, bright red, or stool that looks very dark.
- Cramping or belly pain.
- Weakness and fatigue.
- Unintended weight loss.
These symptoms can come from other problems too, but the American Cancer Society says it’s worth talking to a doctor so the cause can be found and treated.
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