{"id":12707,"date":"2026-02-12T09:31:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T10:31:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/?p=12707"},"modified":"2026-02-18T21:33:48","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T21:33:48","slug":"early-bowel-cancer-symptoms-all-young-people-should-look-out-for-as-james-van-der-beek-dies-aged-48","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/12\/early-bowel-cancer-symptoms-all-young-people-should-look-out-for-as-james-van-der-beek-dies-aged-48\/","title":{"rendered":"Early bowel cancer symptoms all young people should look out for, as James Van Der Beek dies aged 48"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Learn these key symptoms to make sure you recognise early signs (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beloved actor James Van Der Beek<\/a>, died this week aged 48<\/a>, following a two-year battle with bowel cancer.<\/p>\n

The father-of-six was first diagnosed with the condition \u2014 also known as colorectal cancer \u2014 in the latter half of 2023, having noticed changes in his bowel movements.<\/p>\n

After attending a screening, doctors told the ‘Dawson’s Creek’ star<\/a> the disease had progressed to stage three, meaning it had spread to his nearby lymph nodes.<\/p>\n

Despite undergoing treatment however, Van Der Beek ultimately passed away surrounded by his close family on February 11, 2026.<\/p>\n

Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, sitting just behind breast cancer<\/a> and lung cancer.<\/p>\n

And while it used to be a disease that primarily affected older generations, it’s increasingly prevalent among the under-50s \u2014 and as a result, medical professionals are higlighting the importanance of all age groups staying aware of the signs.<\/p>\n

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James Van Der Beek became a household name after starring in popular series ‘Dawson’s Creek’ (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Is bowel cancer becoming more common in young people?<\/h2>\n

Each year, there are 44,000 new cases of bowel cancer<\/a> in the UK, making it the second most common cause of cancer deaths among Brits.<\/p>\n

And what’s even more concerning is that this disease is becoming more prevalent among younger people.<\/p>\n

In the UK, rates have increased by 51% in those aged 25-49 since the early 1990s, while in under-24s, bowel cancer rates have increased by 75% over the past 30 years.<\/p>\n

Tens of thousands of cancer samples have been archived in the basement at The National Bowel Hospital, kept so that scientists can try and analyse the historic ‘data’ and attempt to learn more about the disease.<\/p>\n

Confident in the unique perspective the archives provide, Professor Trevor Graham, from the Institute of Cancer Research, tells the BBC that he believes ‘the answer might be in this room.’<\/p>\n

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A lot of young people who are diagnosed with bowel cancer subsequently are fitted with a stoma bag (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What bowel cancer symptoms should we be looking out for?<\/h2>\n

With bowel cancer becoming a more alarming issue for younger generations, it’s imperative we know what symptoms to be on the lookout for.<\/p>\n

Dr Robin Clark, medical director for Bupa Global and UK, tells Metro <\/strong>these are the things we should keep in mind:<\/p>\n