Dawson’s Creek actor James Van Der Beek, 48, died of colorectal cancer 

Portland, OR – February 12, 2026 — The passing of James Van Der Beek yesterday, who died at age 48 from colorectal cancer, was a stark reminder of colorectal cancer’s shocking new statistic: colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer deaths in people under age 50. For many types of cancers, the death rate is decreasing, but not for colorectal cancer. Unfortunately, despite the increase in colorectal cancer diagnoses, many adults between ages 45 and 50 are still not getting screened. 

“Colonoscopy can stop cancer before it starts. We call colonoscopies the gold standard because they can both detect early cancer and prevent cancer from developing,” said Dr. Justine Hum, a gastroenterologist at The Oregon Clinic. “Getting your colonoscopy at age 45 is so crucial because we can catch cancer before it forms, or in its very early stages.”  

Over the past few years, we have sadly seen many beloved celebrities, athletes, and actors pass away due to complications from colorectal cancer, including actor James Van Der Beek; actress Catherine O’Hara, actor Chadwick Boseman, soccer legend Pelé, actress Kirstie Alley, and many more. This news is a sobering reminder of the importance of getting recommended colorectal cancer screenings.  

The American Cancer Society, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, and American College of Gastroenterology all recommend beginning regular colorectal cancer screening at age 45. Individuals with family history or high-risk factors may need to begin screening even earlier. For those younger than age 45 and with no family history of cancer, it’s important to be aware of the early warning signs of colon cancer.  
 

“Younger adults are often diagnosed with late-stage colorectal cancer because they either experience no early symptoms or think it’s something less serious,” said Dr. Karen Saks, a gastroenterologist at The Oregon Clinic.  “Symptoms like abdominal pain, blood in the stool, constipation, diarrhea, decreased appetite, and unexplained weight loss could all be symptoms of colorectal cancer, and patients should be reaching out to their doctor.”  

Now more than ever, it is critical to spread awareness of the importance of colorectal cancer screenings and early detection before the disease becomes too advanced to treat. 

To schedule your colonoscopy at one of The Oregon Clinic’s seven locations, oregonclinic.com/resource/colonoscopy-screening/ or call 503-935-8080. 

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About The Oregon Clinic: 

The Oregon Clinic transforms lives across the Pacific Northwest by delivering world-class health care through an innovative, physician-led ecosystem of care. As the largest private multi-specialty physician practice in Oregon, we provide expert, compassionate care tailored to the needs of each unique patient. With 29 specialties and over 300 physicians and practitioners, our expertise spans a broad scope of medicine, from Audiology to OBGYN to Urology. Our doctors serve patients with kindness and empathy at more than 500,000 visits each year, across more than 50 offices conveniently located throughout the Portland metro area. Our vision is for patients to have a consistent, efficient, easy experience and know they will receive the highest quality care from compassionate, trusted experts. Call 503-935-8000 or visit www.oregonclinic.com for more information.