Remembering James Van Der Beek — and What He Taught Us About Colorectal Cancer

On screen

James Van Der Beek, the actor best known for Dawson's Creek, died in February 2026 after living with colorectal cancer for roughly two and a half years. His wife, Kimberly, announced his death, and tributes poured in from castmates, fans, and the cancer community he had come to champion.

Van Der Beek shared his diagnosis publicly in late 2024. He had been diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in 2023, after noticing changes in his bowel habits and a general sense that something was off — symptoms he chose to describe openly so that others might take their own seriously. In one of his last television interviews, in December 2025, he urged people to pay attention to "even just the slightest little change" and to get screened starting at age 45, even if they feel fine. We share only what he and his family chose to make public, and we remember him with gratitude for that openness.

The reality

According to the National Cancer Institute, colorectal cancer is cancer that forms in the tissues of the colon or the rectum, and it is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States when men and women are counted together. NCI explains that colorectal cancer often begins as a growth called a polyp inside the colon or rectum — and that finding and removing polyps can actually prevent colorectal cancer from developing. That is what makes this disease different from many others: screening can stop some cancers before they start, not just find them early.

What the story gets right — and what to remember

Van Der Beek did something genuinely hard: he talked plainly, on national platforms, about symptoms most people find embarrassing to mention. He was right that changes in bowel habits are worth raising with a doctor, and right that screening matters even for people who feel healthy. At the same time, his course of illness was his own. A diagnosis, a stage, and an outcome for one person do not predict anyone else's, and many people diagnosed with colorectal cancer — including at stage 3 — are treated successfully. His story is a reason to act on awareness, not a reason for fear, and it is not medical advice.

Awareness, screening & prevention

NCI notes that several screening tests are used for colorectal cancer — including stool-based tests, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, and DNA stool tests — and that studies show some of these tests help find cancer at an early stage and may decrease deaths from the disease. Because screening can find and remove precancerous polyps, it is one of the clearest examples of prevention in all of cancer care. If you have been putting off the conversation, our guide to colorectal cancer screening explains the options in plain language, and our free screening check-up tool can help you see, in a couple of minutes, which screenings fit your age and history.

Turning a story into something useful

The kindest way to honor someone who spent his hardest years telling people to get checked is simple: get checked. Learn what colorectal cancer is, notice persistent changes in your body, and bring them to a healthcare team without embarrassment. Sharing accurate information — and supporting free cancer education — keeps the message James Van Der Beek worked so hard to spread alive.

Questions to ask a healthcare team

• At my age and with my family history, when should I start colorectal cancer screening?
• Which screening test makes the most sense for me?
• What bowel changes or symptoms should I never ignore?
• If a polyp is found during screening, what happens next?