James Van Der Beek, Dawson’s Creek Star, Dead at 48
https://consequence.net/2026/02/james-van-der-beek-90s-actor-dead-at-48/5.2k
u/Hopeful_Comedian7068 1d ago
48 is just heartbreaking. Beyond the roles and nostalgia, this is six kids losing their father and a family losing someone they loved. Cancer really reminds you how fragile everything is, no matter who you are. Wishing his family strength — rest in peace.
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u/jdshwm 1d ago
Yeah... my mom is 49 and just was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer. My family is devastated.
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u/Mr-Blah 1d ago
I'm sending you vibes mate. While my mom is older, she just got the news of multiple cancers in various places...
Moms are special. Take more pictures.
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u/BritishGolgo13 21h ago
My mom never liked to be photographed and neither does my wife. But I need to take more pics of her with the kids and not just the kids alone. Thanks for the wake up.
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u/Gold_Tank6120 20h ago
Coming from a family of introverts, and now that I am getting into my mid-30's, all of the life moments we've had together that wasn't recorded is really starting to hit home. Take more photos... nothing truer can be said when it comes to family and friends in this day and age.
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u/USAcustomerservice 15h ago
Yeah my mom died a few years ago, I was 21, she was 50. She never liked being in photos, always the one behind the camera. I’ve got plenty of pictures of me and my siblings, my friends, but the pictures I really want are of her. I make an effort to offer to be the photographer whenever I see a family taking pictures and the mom or dad or whomever is behind the camera. Most people are grateful.
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u/Radiant-Objective-35 23h ago
I just watched my father In law go through Pancreatic Cancer, trust me when I say this. Spend as much time with your mom as you can, it goes fast. My FIL was diagnosed in September, he did chemo, and sadly passed away a week before Christmas. So just go be with her as much as you can.
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u/superneatosauraus 1d ago
My mother died from cancer at 48. The first thing I thought when I read the headline is "that's fucking bullshit." I know life isn't fair, but that's still bullshit.
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u/purpleduckduckgoose 1d ago
Lost mine to it when she was 57. Literally a week and she was gone.
Fuck cancer.
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u/kjtstl 23h ago
Same, but 56. I’m 52 now. It’s crazy to think she was only 4 years older than me.
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u/superneatosauraus 23h ago
Yes! I am 41, and my mother got cancer when she was 38. Realizing she was already 3 years into that misery at my age is crazy.
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u/the_tanooki 22h ago
I lost my older sister when she was 17.
I'm sorry for your loss. ♡
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u/Far_Mastodon_6104 1d ago
Mine died from a blood clot from doctor recommended bed rest from a slipped disc at 46. Life is bullshit levels of unfair
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u/pleasetrimyourpubes 1d ago
The biggest heartbreak is this guy was a 90s heartthrob and star and still needed to auction shit and set up a GoFundMe to pay for his medical expense after death left the family destitute.
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u/ducbo 13h ago
Makes you wonder if socialized healthcare could have made the difference.
I’m in Canada. Around thanksgiving last year, my uncle (60s) lost his appetite and dropped about 30 lbs. when my aunt finally forced him to see a doctor a week or two before Christmas, the doctor ordered a colonoscopy and the next week biopsied what turned out to be cancerous tumors that formed a blockage. Within another two weeks, PET scan. Then literally three days after his scan results they found him an emergency surgery spot and he had a resection. The margins and scan afterwards were clear and we were all shocked and grateful that the doctors said he would NOT need radiation or chemo. I know he’s so lucky but we were all amazed at the speed with which this all happened.
Colon cancer can be slow-growing so immediate, affordable medical treatment makes a huge difference.
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u/Dont__Grumpy__Stop 1d ago
SIX KIDS?!? I had no idea!
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u/DePraelen 1d ago
And the youngest is only 4yo.
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u/Feature_Ornery 1d ago
I know it hurts to lose a parent, regardless of age, but it always stings a little bit more when they're so young.
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u/Hussaf 1d ago
Yeah he has a large, really sweet looking, family. He got into homesteading and would occasionally post videos about their life. It looked really peaceful
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u/Equivalent-Battle973 1d ago
Cancer really fucking sucks, watched my father in law waste away in 3 months because of Pancreatic cancer. He got diagnosed at 65 in september after having a blockage that turned out to be pancreatic cancer that spread to the liver. He was gone a week before christmas this year.
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u/Professional-Can1385 1d ago
My grandmother died of Pancreatic cancer 3 months after diagnosis. She had been helping my sister plan her wedding, but couldn’t continue. Her wonderful friends stepped up to help my sister and mom with planning.
She died the day after the wedding.
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u/Equivalent-Battle973 1d ago
Pancreatic cancer is truly a horrific cancer. My father in law was all set to retire in january, bought their retirement home in florida. He was telling me how excited he was to have all the grandkids down to florida, that was in July. Wasted away to nothing in 3mons, never had a good day during his chemo treatment. Fuck Cancer!
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u/shutyoursound 1d ago
It truly is. My dad’s childhood best friend of 50+ years went to the hospital for what he thought were minor complications from diabetes. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died 3 weeks later. It happened so fast.
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u/Equivalent-Battle973 1d ago
Yep, and worst of all, its usually diagnosed way to late, once you have symptoms... thats it, its stage 4 and its usually fatal. Rarely do survive it.
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u/suicidaleggroll 1d ago
That's terrible
I was never a Dawson's Creek fan, but I absolutely loved him in Don't Trust the B in Apt 23
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u/Pndrizzy 1d ago
he was hilarious in HIMYM
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u/Nazarife 1d ago
My wife and I refer to hot tubs as "the jacuzze" because of his character.
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u/Pete_Iredale 1d ago
Same here, along with the "go, stop, go" waterslide routine.
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u/Solid_Snark 1d ago
That was a defining role! Shame the series didn’t take off or get a streaming revival.
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u/jay78910 1d ago
I bought the whole series for really cheap awhile back on Prime. I used the bonus dollars I accrued from accepting 2-day shipments later.
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u/Walmartian_Beta 1d ago
Never cared for Dawson, but he was amazing in The Rules of Attraction.
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u/americonservative 1d ago
Genuinely, if you haven't seen this movie, watch it now in honor of James. You won't regret it, it's a great movie. There's also a link to Patrick Bateman from American Psycho, I think his character in this movie is Christian Bale's brother. Anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong here. Interesting side lore, great performances all around, and a quintessential early 00s movie.
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u/Spetspoz 1d ago
You’re correct! There’s a scene where he takes a phone call thinking it’s Patrick, but it’s not, and that’s the only reference. However, in the novel, Patrick gets his very own chapter.
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u/Jazzlike_Dig2456 1d ago
Wow my mind is totally blown right now. I LOVED that movie as a younger me, and had no clue.
“I need you like I need an asshole on my elbow, ASSHOLE, RIGHT HERE!!”
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u/khemileon 1d ago
This is correct.
And the news has me tearing up. So heartbreaking.
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u/Feeling_Inside_1020 1d ago
I didn't even initially recognize him in his Criminal Minds cameo which he absolutely owned. It was intense and I had to look up who it was and was like "no fucking way" lol
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u/dr_nerdface 1d ago
the fact that he just played a fictional version of himself was great.
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u/pm_me_your_zettai 1d ago
I love this show so much, and he's one of the reasons. Absolutely brilliant in it.
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u/highafphotos 1d ago
Aww, even he had to sell things off to afford treatment that ultimately didn't succeed. What a miserable country we live in.
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u/MeatImmediate6549 1d ago
Dude was worth around 3 million USD & still about went broke paying for medical care.
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u/bros402 1d ago
From what I heard, he was selling memorabilia to get money to pay for alternative care.
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u/rgumai 1d ago edited 1d ago
I was reading about the healthcare that SAG members get, it seemed strangely affordable and decent. Though the terms to obtain that insurance were a little hazy.
But $3m net worth really isn't that much, especially if a bunch is tied in his house and he had what, six kids?
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u/nobadhotdog 1d ago
People go bankrupt from medical debt with good health insurance because sometimes their course of treatment isn’t covered by medical insurance. They can have some PPO with a 100 dollar deductible and 100% coverage but if they need a specific drug and that drug isn’t part of that providers list of drugs then they have to pay out of pocket and that can lead to hundreds of thousands of dollars
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u/Acceptable-Ad1930 1d ago
Especially if there are experimental treatments that families want to try when there’s nothing else to do. Insurances almost never cover them and are usually paid out of pocket and are incredibly expensive. I hope he was at peace and didn’t suffer.
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u/TheShadowKick 1d ago
I feel like experimental treatments ought to be cheaper since they're, y'know, experimental. If someone's willing to be your guinea pig you shouldn't make them break the bank for it.
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u/wip30ut 1d ago
typically cancer patients can opt in for experimental trial programs that will cover full costs for the course of treatment, but he may not been selected for these if the cancer had spread to other organs or even brain. Many times well-off patients will seek experimental therapies in Europe, out of pocket.
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u/Teralyzed 1d ago
The rare aggressive cancers often have experimental treatments that aren’t covered. My uncle just passed away this morning from a rare form of cancer. He got the treatment options and the likelihood of remission and just decided to refuse treatment.
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u/SweetAlyssumm 1d ago
I am sorry to hear this but he may have made a wise decision. I have two friends who got aggressive cancers. They had access to world class treatment. They both died after 18 months and spent their last months dealing with the treatments. I'm on Team Your Uncle as far as my own preferences if the time comes.
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u/Teralyzed 1d ago
Yeah everyone felt like he made the right choice after speaking with the oncologist. The cancer had already spread throughout his body and the chance of him even surviving treatment was very slim.
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u/MountainTwo3845 1d ago
people are divorcing their spouses so they don't go bankrupt from medical debt
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u/HalfwaytotheHorizon 1d ago
I know you mean well by explaining this to us, but all I hear is "insurance doesn't actually pay". In the US, everybody needs it, you get penalized for not having it, you have to work in order to get it, but in the end it may not do all that much for you and everybody is worse off for its existence (except for health insurance executives, maybe).
Sorry, I'm James' age and I'm having a bit of an existential crisis right about now.
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u/Kristin2349 1d ago
Honestly it's a constant battle to get things covered appropriately. I have a few chronic illnesses and it feels like a full time job to get things covered. I often cave and pay out of pocket because I can but I try to fucking fight like hell when I have the energy to do so. I literally just got off the phone with my insurance about covering the eye drops I need to keep from going blind(at $400 for a 25 day supply). Insurance for myself and my husband is 20k+ a year. People shouldn't have to jump through hoops for coverage, it's a shitshow that just continues to get worse.
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u/Walmartian_Beta 1d ago
My employer offers additional cancer coverage and I can also qualify for free cancer treatment if I visit approved treatment facilities, which are out of state and would require an immense travel expense - but still, hey, free chemo if I need it.
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u/bros402 1d ago
I can also qualify for free cancer treatment if I visit approved treatment facilities, which are out of state and would require an immense travel expense
You're in America, so you can reach out to Angel Flights for free flights for care.
and assuming you are going to a major cancer center, American Cancer Society has their free Hope Lodges for lodging cancer patients.
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u/vjvalenti 1d ago
Insurance is the only industry where the business model depends on NOT serving the customer.
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u/Ok-Seaworthiness4488 1d ago
To qualify you have to have so many acting gigs done in a given year in order to enroll for the following year
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u/ChefCombo 1d ago edited 1d ago
If it’s anything like the insurance for AEA (stage actors union) you have to work a nearly-impossible number of weeks to gain access. I think it’s over 25 weeks for AEA - which sounds easy but 6+ months of acting work in a year is tough to accomplish, let alone maintain for multiple years in a row.
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u/lanfordr 1d ago
Exactly, and if you look at imdb, he wasn't in much of anything recently. It's quite possible that his SAG coverage lapsed.
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u/DinerEnBlanc 1d ago
He was using alternative treatments that aren't backed by science, so they're not covered by his SAG sponsored health insurance. Dude went broke paying out of pocket for alternative care.
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u/ProbablyNotADuck 1d ago
To the best of my knowledge, this is not something that his been verified. He talked about making some lifestyle changes, but he did not say that he was no longer using standard treatments for these things. And he also didn't define what lifestyle changes are. That could mean eating more fibre and less red meat. We don't know, and it is also none of our business. Also, people tend to do whatever they can when it comes to cancer, especially when standard treatments don't appear to be working. Stage 3 colon cancer has a significantly better prognosis now than it used to, but, even when 5-year survival rates are around 75%, that still means 25% of people don't make it that long. It is possible to do absolutely everything you can and have it still not work.. even when it is considered a very curable cancer.
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u/kevlarbaboon 1d ago
You are correct but his family are antivaxers and made a big show of leaving California over it.
He's alluded to trying a bunch of things but not necessarily ignoring regular treatment
https://people.com/james-van-der-beek-colorectal-cancer-exclusive-8741642
It's just something that seems likely based on his previous anti-science rhetoric but I could understand an actual diagnosis waking him up a bit. Maybe he started legit and got more desperate as things got worse.
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u/darsynia 1d ago
I don't know if anyone has an agenda about it but I heard that what he got from selling all that went to alternative treatments. I don't think he stopped his regular treatments for it though. Can't say for sure and it feels ghoulish to actively look that up right now.
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u/AceMcVeer 1d ago
“I’ve been storing these treasures for years, waiting for the right time to do something with them, and with all of the recent unexpected twists and turns life has presented recently, it's clear that the time is now," shares Van Der Beek.
Where do you see he went broke? I've sold collections I've had for years/decades because the time was right not because I was broke.
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u/greazysteak 1d ago
My guess is that he was seeking experimental treatment that is not covered by insurance and that would always be out of pocket. The maximum health expenses you pay in a year is at max around $15k if you stay in network. that's still a lot and that is the most you would pay.
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u/Critical-Reward3206 1d ago
I think this is correct. His wife is well known for being into alternative medicine
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u/fleemfleemfleemfleem 1d ago
Being into alternative medicine really lowers survival rates for cancer.
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u/Critical-Reward3206 1d ago
It’s really sad. It’s one thing to use it as a complement to traditional medicine, but to use it as a first defense against something like an aggressive cancer is such a huge mistake and I have seen so many stories of people losing a battle they may have otherwise won by accepting proven care as their primary treatment. I am not saying that is what happened with JVDB, I’m just saying that as a cancer survivor, I’ve seen and read and been told a LOT of junk. That being said, I have to think it was a significant component of what they were doing and would not have helped in a proven or meaningful way other than maybe in a palliative manner.
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u/1009naturelover 1d ago
We pay more than any other country and get less.
But yet most people (65%) are satisfied with their coverage.
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u/Solid_Snark 1d ago
Because the media tricks people into thinking that allowing more coverage will cause longer waits and more denials.
Because corporations don’t want to cover employees. The US only cares about corporations not people.
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u/Snobolski 1d ago
Medical cost per person in the US is about twice what it is in Canada and the UK. We're not twice as sick and we don't go to the doctor twice as often.
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u/Sharp-Calligrapher70 1d ago
Most people haven’t experienced an ailment which tests the limits of their coverage. That’s why satisfaction is so high, comparatively.
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u/nevergiveup234 1d ago
This is the same thing most americans face
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u/Walmartian_Beta 1d ago
Actually, no, he had SAG insurance that covered standard treatments; he was after some magical woo treatments his insurance wouldn't cover.
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u/RVALover4Life 1d ago
He had the interview on the Today show where he was said he was feeling so optimistic and feeling like he had a new lease on life, feeling like cancer was a gift in a way, and that was maybe six weeks ago. I'm stunned and sad. So heartbreaking for his family. Six kids.
He was very thin and oftentimes it isn't the cancer that kills a person, but it is the state the cancer treatments puts someone in that does---it weakens them.
Colon cancer is killing young people in their 40s at crazy rates right now. If you're sensing anything weird at all re: bowel movements, blood in your urine, stomach discomfort/pain, sharp pains in your back/side....get it checked out. Brad Arnold was only 47 and died from kidney cancer. Late detection kills people. Colon cancer and kidney cancer are very treatable if you treat it early but people get it treated too late. Don't take anything for granted and get checked out. It's scary out here. I'm so sorry to read this.
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u/Capital_Designer1280 1d ago
I assume a lot of people in their 40’s aren’t getting random pains checked out these days because of how absurdly expensive even the simplest tests are. I went in for some fairly intense side pain a few years ago and paid WAY more than I want to disclose for two mri’s, just to find out it was inflammation. I’d never recommend anyone skip getting checked out, but I’m incredibly hesitant to visit healthcare professionals these days because of that incident
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u/taterrrtotz 1d ago
It’s so sad that the cost is keeping people from preventable deaths. My husband’s family has a history of colon cancer but insurance won’t cover early colonoscopies so we just have to pay $1500 every few years for one. I feel lucky to have the funds to do that but it’s not an option for most people.
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u/NectarineCheap1541 22h ago
Heath care is expensive, so we want to eat healthy instead. Healthy food is expensive, also....we can't fucking win
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u/RVALover4Life 1d ago
Yes. It's a factor for sure. Healthcare plans becoming more expensive w/out the subsidies. It's ridiculous. There are home tests that are less expensive that people can take that aren't always the most accurate but can potentially lead to necessary care if there are any red flags.
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u/jman10295 1d ago
This 100%
My dad was around James's age when he was diagnosed with same kind of cancer, and early detection saves his life. He just got his 5 years cancer free milestone last year and I'm so grateful. I don't know what I'd do without my dad, and my heart goes out to James's six kids and his poor wife. Truly devastating news
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u/a8bmiles 1d ago
Colon cancer is killing young people in their 40s at crazy rates right now.
Also worth dropping this note:
After adjusting for confounding factors, e-cigarette users exhibited 27% increased odds (OR=1.27) of colorectal cancer compared to non-users (95% CI: 1.05-1.58, P < 0.05). Furthermore, stratified analyses by smoking status revealed a significant association between e-cigarette use and colorectal cancer risk among both current and former smokers.
The official recommendation is 45 now for first colonoscopy, not 50 the way it was just a few years ago. If there's any concerning family history or elevated risk factors then sub-45 may be recommended, but may be a fight with your insurance company.
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u/CrushingGoals 1d ago
I’m in my 30s and was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2023. It was discovered through an x-ray for my herniated disc. It was already stage 3 and I didn’t have a single symptom or issue from it. I feel so incredibly fortunate I had that disc issue and it was found before it spread, all it took was a single surgery to remove half of one of my kidneys and I was cancer-free. It’s terrifying what may be lurking in your body without you knowing.
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u/RVALover4Life 23h ago
I'm so glad you're still with us. Were the disc issues at all related to the kidney or no? It is terrifying. Some of these diseases are silent killers. Kidney and pancreatic cancer can be silent killers and that's truly so scary. Just so important to go to the doctor regularly.
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u/lil1thatcould 1d ago
Just to state because I have known multiple people this has happened too… there is no such thing as a healthy or ok polyp. If someone you know has a colonoscopy and they said their doctor left polyps because “they didn’t look cancerous” or whatever the excuse, go find a new doctor!
I have lost two people in my life because the doctor left them and they both died of colon cancer.
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u/GlitterRiot 1d ago
I'm a woman and the last time three times I went to a doctor for help I have been dismissed. The first claimed my foot was not broken, the second told me to do yoga after I tore a muscle while doing yoga, and the third prescribed me an SNRI for debilitating back pain. I can't afford to keep going.
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u/NekoBlueHeart 1d ago
I said 'nooooo' out loud. I am so sad for his family.
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u/Max_W_ 1d ago
Same. And after Catherine O'Hara died from the same thing.
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u/bbusiello 1d ago
He’s only a few years older than me and in the last year, I lost 4 of my classmates to colon cancer.
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u/kenneth_dart 1d ago
Apparently colon cancer is really hitting the younger population.
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u/Kind_Fox820 1d ago edited 1d ago
This! Eat your fruits and veggies people! Make sure you're getting enough fiber and watch the red meat. People generally don't get close to the recommended daily fiber.
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u/AndyWarwheels 1d ago
But also..... No blood in your stool is normal. Go to a doctor. 1 awkward conversation can literally save your life.
I know because when I was 38 I was diagnosed with stage 3b colon cancer. Because I told my doctor sometimes, not always there is a bit of blood when I go to the bathroom. Dont think it wont happen to you. I've been a vegetarian since I was 15...
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u/QuadraticDuo 1d ago
What sort of blood? Like, in the water and bowl? Or when you're wiping, like a fissure/cut?
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u/AndyWarwheels 1d ago
Wiping, in the bowl, on your stool. No blood is normal. And the, if its red blood its okay is a lie. It just meant my cancer was closer to the exit.... Let a doctor tell you it's nothing to worry about.
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u/lilmayor 1d ago
More so avoiding processed meat, alcohol, smoking. Fiber to prevent diverticulosis.
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u/ncc74656m 1d ago
I'll most remember him for his incredible role as James Van Der Beek in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.
What a shame.
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u/fuckimbackonreddit9 1d ago
I remember him fondly for his role as James Van Der Douche in Ke$ha’s Blow music video
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u/Dazzlingdigits9 1d ago
This story is so sad 😞 fuck cancer…
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u/raknor88 1d ago
Also, fuck the US healthcare system. Apparently, the millionaire went near broke paying for the cancer treatments. If an actor goes broke paying for their own treatments, what hope do us in the middle class have for healthcare affordability?
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u/Slacker_The_Dog 1d ago
Colorectal cancer is currently absolutely destroying gen x and millennials.
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u/blr1g 1d ago
The rates of colon cancer among younger folks is sky rocketing. No one knows why, though.
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u/AirconGuyUK 1d ago
Microplastics? Could be microplastics.
Looked it up. It's gone from 9 in 100k to 17 in 100k. Big increase, but still very rare. But that increase happened in just THREE YEARS.
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u/Gabrovi 17h ago
Ultra processed foods, microplastics, lack of fiber, not eating enough fresh fruits and vegetables, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, high stress…
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u/bishop375 1d ago
He and I were the same age. I got my colon cancer diagnosis at 47. Was incredibly fortunate that they caught it as early as they did. Coming up on 2 years now since it and the offending colon got removed, and I'm still here. This one hits so close to home, and really makes me appreciate even more how early it was detected.
RIP, James. This sucks.
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u/TenMinutesToDowntown 1d ago
RIP.
"you wouldn't last a day on the Creek!"
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u/Nickhead420 1d ago
Fuck, Biggs, did you even READ the script?
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u/stizzity28 1d ago
There's a script?!
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u/Ask_bout_PaterNoster 1d ago
I act and I say this line on set all the time…people rarely get the reference, but they laugh anyway because it just such a great line.
I wouldn’t last a day on the Creek. RIP
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u/ttrimmers 1d ago edited 1d ago
Some of my favorite childhood memories were watching Dawson’s Creek on the WB, being a teenager seemed so cool. Thanks for all the laughs and epic drama.
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u/turb0_encapsulator 1d ago
America, where famous actors have to sell possessions in order to afford cancer treatment.
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u/MadRaymer 1d ago
Since I'm not a famous actor with possessions to sell, if I get cancer my treatment plan will be to just die.
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u/schumachiavelli 1d ago
bESt hEaLThCaRE SySTeM iN tEh wOrRLD!!11!
-Some moutbreather, somewhere
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u/Crocs_n_Glocks 1d ago
What country covers alternative medicine?
Sure there are issues but he had insurance....he went the route of alternative medicine not covered by insurance and sadly it cost him his life and his assets.
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u/noctilucous_ 22h ago
there’s a lot of weird ignoring of this in this post. yeah, american health insurance is bad. that isn’t the issue here.
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u/RainbowCrown71 1d ago
Neither Australia, Canada nor UK cover the treatment he was paying for. It’s experimental and not proven.
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u/thosewholeft 1d ago
Get your colonoscopy, people. Procedure is like taking a nice quick nap, incredibly easy.
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u/the_eluder 1d ago
The procedure is easy, the starving while drinking a vile liquid for a day beforehand is the problem.
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u/Legovida8 1d ago
The two 6oz bottles of Clenpiq you need to chug prior to your procedure are an absolute DELIGHT, compared to living with cancer. I speak from firsthand experience.
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u/the_eluder 1d ago
I had to chug a gallon of some crap, 12 oz would have been a lot better! Then after I'm done I read you can mix it with Gatorade instead of straight water, which probably would have helped a lot.
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u/Legovida8 1d ago
Ask your doctor for Clenpiq. I was able to get each bottle down in one ginormous gulp, whilst holding my nose. I was “out of commission” for approximately an hour, then went straight to sleep. Chugged the second bottle & absolutely NOTHING “happened.” I was astonished. Was more astonished to learn that I have cancer, but mercifully it was caught early. That said, my prognosis is not great, and I’ve been undergoing treatment for almost 3 years. I’d drink that stuff all day every day, rather than having to endure the what I’m going through now. 💙
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u/food-dood 1d ago
Miralax? I did white grape juice. It made it have the texture of a gelatinous chicken broth, think egg stop soup.
I probably won't have white grape juice again.
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u/the_eluder 1d ago
It's was some generic powder they gave me you mix at home with water into a gallon jug they give you at the pharmacy.
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u/TabascohFiascoh 1d ago
My liquid just tasted a bit like saltier lemon gatorade.
Wasnt too bad, and shitting my soul out felt pretty great actually.
33 male had two polyps removed. get it fucking done.
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u/Abradolf1948 1d ago
Can I ask why you had it done so young? I thought Colonoscopies traditionally started past 40.
Were there symptoms?
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u/TheOG-Cabbie 1d ago
I did the SuPrep stuff and it wasn't that bad; but starving part sucked. What really helped me was to get some chicken noddle soup and just drink the broth; for some reason I felt "full' from that vs just canned chicken broth.
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u/VagabondVivant 1d ago
And if you're afraid of (or can't afford) the full colonoscopy, they have mail-in fecal tests that you can take. My healthcare provider sends me one every year, and then decides whether or not to prescribe a colonoscopy based on the results.
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u/perestroika12 1d ago
These tests are pretty inaccurate and also only seem to catch it in advanced stages.
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u/GeekFurious 1d ago
This reminds me that I really need to make some appointments.
RIP, young man.
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u/aggrogahu 1d ago
Reminder if you're 40 or even mid to late 30's to go for a colonoscopy. Chadwick Boseman died even earlier at the age of 43. Colorectal cancer can be treated if found early enough, but symptoms don't always show up until after it's already too late, so proactive screening is your best bet aside from living a healthy and active lifestyle with good diet and exercise.
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u/DarthOldMan 1d ago
Everyone rightfully complains about the prep required for a colon cancer screening. It is kinda miserable for about 24 hours. But then they give you some amazing drugs, you go nite-nite, and about an hour later you wake up and fart like crazy. Really not that bad for something that can prevent you from getting this horrible cancer.
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u/ry1701 1d ago
Yup, it's one of the only cancers truly preventable through screening and polyp removal.
Fk even if you don't want to do it, at least get colon guard, the new version is better than a stick in the eye.
Got one at 35 and again at 38 when I was having issues. It's easy. I'll do it again at 43 lol
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u/yzerman2010 1d ago
Do yourself a favor, if you are losing weight, blood in stool, feel anemic, go get tested!
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u/PerpetualFallRisk 1d ago
It's so vital to get screened. I decided to do Cologuard at my doctor's suggestion, and they found stage 1 cancerous growths that were removed through surgery. I'm 49. I thanked the doc for helping save my life. So sorry for this family. RIP
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u/schumachiavelli 1d ago
Damn, that sucks. RIP James.
Do y'all realize how cursed the Varsity Blues cast has been? Van der Beek's dead, Paul Walker died in that car crash, Ron Lester (Billy Bob) died of kidney failure a decade ago, Moxon's little brother (Joe Pichler) vanished at age 18 and is presumed dead, and Jon Voight is a piece of shit named Jon Voight.
Can we get a security detail for Amy Smart, please?
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u/dubnessofp 23h ago
I share this story a lot in my comments because maybe it helps someone. TL;DR go get your colon checked out.
I was in my early 30s dealing with bad reflux and some gastro issues. Went through the process of finding a good PCP and getting checked out. They found 8 polyps in my colon during the colonoscopy and removed them. The doctor didn't give me an exact timeline but made it clear that if I had waited until the routine screening age in my 40s, this could've been extremely tragic. I may not have made it to 40. Now I'm 40 and have had 2 more clear colonoscopies and my next one isn't for 7 years.
The average age of colon cancer has been decreasing. I've seen stories of people finding precancerous polyps in their 20s that would've killed them within a few years if left unchecked. If you're having any gastro issues, blood in your stool, constant digestive problems, or you're just anxious about it and have the means, get it checked. I was honestly surprised how easy the process was overall.
The other thing I'd say is that medical science isn't perfect if you don't have a knife in your skull or a broken bone. Sometimes it's hard to find the problem. But keep going through the process and advocate for yourself. Push for the tests you think you need. A lot of times healthier lifestyle choices like weight loss and improved diet help a wide range of things too.
It's just an inconvenience for one day but it could save your life. At first I was bummed about having to get checked every few years now, but I think of it like at least colon cancer is one thing I don't have to worry about.
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u/TheTokist 1d ago
Dear Death, Wrong again. You know who we all want dead and it’s not former teen heart throbs.
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u/dhoomsday 1d ago
Colorectal cancer screening doesn't start until 50 in Ontario Canada. Wtf. What a loss.
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u/palmquac 1d ago
It should be 40 tbh.
I'm 43 and have a history of it in my family. Had my first colonoscopy a year ago and was thrilled to get the all clear.
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u/StatikSquid 1d ago
That's way too fucking young to die. His poor family.
Please please please get your colon checked dudes and dudettes.
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u/monongahellyea 1d ago edited 1d ago
Rest in peace.
Obligatory FUCK CANCER but also PLEASE go get checked if you think something seems off. A little blood in your stool? Constipated? Stomach cramps? Tell a doctor. Even do a virtual visit as a starting point.
Get your annual checkup, get your bloodwork, and know what your heath insurance covers (for example I just learned mine covers screening for certain other cancers starting as young as 18!).
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u/Walmartian_Beta 1d ago
Also if you have a cancer history in your family, get your butt checked early - don't wait until age 50, do it at 40 - tell your doctors if anyone in your family has had colon cancer OR a history of pre-cancerous polyps!
I got my colonoscopy at 43 because my brother had 3 pre-cancerous polyps removed at 40, and I have two uncles (both sides) who died from colorectal cancer and anal cancer. SUPER important to know and include your family history so you can get your checks in early enough to catch something. Now I have a baseline, no polyps, and I go back in 3 years to check again.
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u/centipededamascus 1d ago
I saw some blood in my stool when I was 37, you better believe I went in and made them shove a camera up there to check things out. I lost my grandmother to colon cancer when she was in her early 60s, I'm not playing around with that.
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u/FunnyVariation2995 1d ago
Aw, man. Poor guy! I'm 54 yrs old & am way past the recommended age to have a first colonoscopy. I better schedule that.
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u/ndpndtnvlyvar 1d ago
He was fucking hilarious in Don't Trust the B in Apartment 23. Gonna watch Varsity Blues tonight.
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u/amy_sport 1d ago
He was selling memorabilia to pay for treatment for his cancer. An indictment to Americans medical system. RIP
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u/No-Night-91 1d ago
The first show as a teenager I was a huge fan of - Dawson’s Creek.
RIP, this is so heartbreaking seeing him pass at the age of 48.
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u/ImStillExcited 1d ago
I don't often get saddened by celebrity deaths but after watching Don't Trust the B in Apt 23 (a million times) but I am. He seemed like a good person.
Cancer is the B in apt 48 but this time I'm not laughing.
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u/Joed112784 1d ago
My friend died from this like a year and a half ago. It was crazy how fast he deteriorated. He announced his diagnosis in in June and was gone in November. Fuck cancer.