THE his tragic passing Dawson’s Creek Actor James Van Der Beek on February 11, 2026has refocused attention on colon cancer. Long thought to be a disease that affects the elderly, Van Der Beek’s death has raised questions about how vulnerable today’s young people are to the risks of colon cancer.
Here’s what everyone should know.
Catching something early can help you avoid serious health problems down the road.
What is colon cancer?
Colorectal cancer is a general term that describes cancers of the colon and rectum, which are part of the large intestine. Individual cancers are treated differently. Cancers can also occur in the colon or rectum, or both.
Are more young people getting colon cancer?
According to the American Cancer Society, rates for colon cancer for under-50s have increased by about 3% annually since 2010. Colorectal cancer death rates have also increased by 1% per year in people under the age of 50 since 2005.
Rates of early onset colon cancer expected to increase over the next decade. Since 2024, Better2Know has seen a 200% increase in all requests for home cancer tests, reflecting a growing concern about people’s long-term susceptibility to cancer.
The cause of this increase in colon cancer rates is still unknown. But researchers have some theories…
What increases my risk?
There are many factors associated with colon cancer, many of which are within our control.
Alcohol
Drinking alcohol can increase your risk of developing a number of cancers, including colon cancer. Drinking alcohol can lead to tumor formation by causing mutations that disrupt normal cell reproduction.
Diet
Eating a lot red meat, processed meats and not eating enough dietary fibre may increase the risk of cancer.
Other dietary risk factors may include:
- Having low vitamin D levels
- Cooking meats at high temperatures (frying, boiling and baking)
- You don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables
- Not maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, which can lead to inflammation
Smoking
A 2025 article in BMJ Oncology states that epidemiological evidence supports a link between cigarette smoking and an increased risk of colon cancer, and that risk increases in a dose-dependent manner (the more you smoke, the greater the risk); Smoking too increases the risk of early colon cancer.
Portliness
Obesity significantly increases the risk of colorectal cancer, contributes to a large number of CRC deaths worldwide, and is part of the group of lifestyle factors leading to increased rates of CRC in younger adults.
Diabetes
People with type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop colon cancer, which may be linked to high insulin levels.
Genetics
You are more likely to get colon cancer if you:
- They are male
- You have had a cholecystectomy (surgical removal of the gallbladder)
- You have a history of colorectal polyps
- You have a history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- You have a family history of colon cancer
- You have an inherited syndrome such as Lynch syndrome and familial adenomatous polyps
What is the survival rate?
Finding cancer at a young age can lead to five-year survival rates as high as 80% to 90%. When cancer is detected at an advanced stage, where it has spread to other parts of the body, survival rates are much lower.
What are the early symptoms?
The telltale signs of colon cancer are easy to recognize:
- Blood in the stool
- Abdominal pains
- Change in bowel habits (prolonged periods of constipation or diarrhea)
- Sudden weight loss
- Unexplained anemia
- Low red blood cell count
Having any of these symptoms may not mean you have colon cancer. If you have any concerns about your cancer risk, you should seek testing and medical advice.
How can I get screened for colon cancer?
You can get tested for bowel cancer with a convenient home test or a test available through a health clinic near you.
Most tests for colon cancer include a stool sample, which is checked for occult blood that may indicate the presence of cancer.
How can I reduce my risk of colon cancer?
While you’re figuring out whether you have colon cancer, you can improve your chances of preventing it in the future with a few simple lifestyle changes, including:
- Cut down on alcohol: There is no safe amount of alcohol, so keeping your consumption to a minimum will help improve your health.
- Not eating red meat and processed meats: Eating large amounts of red and processed meat will significantly reduce the risk of all types of cancer.
- Get plenty of exercise: Regular exercise will improve your all-cause mortality rate. Improving your fitness and building more muscle mass will help control your insulin levels, which will help reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Eat fruits, vegetables and other fiber-rich foods: Filling your diet with plenty of whole grains, fibrous and leafy vegetables, seeds, legumes, beans and a variety of fruits will give you the fiber you need to keep colon cancer at bay.
Final thoughts
Most cancers can be treated if caught early. But that means taking action as soon as you suspect something is wrong. Contact Better2Know to secure a bowel cancer test today.
Protect your health.
