Rising Colorectal Cancer in Young Adults Puzzles Medical Experts

The tragic death of American actor James Van Der Beek has once again highlighted a disturbing medical trend that has doctors worldwide searching for answers: the alarming rise of colorectal cancer among people under 50.

Van Der Beek, beloved for his role in "Dawson's Creek," passed away on February 11, 2026, at just 48 years old after battling colorectal cancer. His death follows that of "Black Panther" star Chadwick Boseman, who died from the same disease in 2020 at age 43.

A Third More Cases Since the 1990s

According to Helen Coleman, a cancer epidemiology professor at Queen's University Belfast, the rate of colorectal cancer diagnoses among people under 50 has increased by roughly one-third since the 1990s. The disease has now become the leading cause of cancer death among Americans under 50, according to research published in the JAMA journal last month.

"This sounds really scary, but the increase has come from a low starting point," Coleman emphasizes. Only six percent of all colorectal cancers are diagnosed in people under 50, with the vast majority still occurring in older populations.

However, the trend is particularly concerning because younger people rarely suspect they could develop what was long considered an elderly person's disease. By the time they receive a diagnosis, it's often too late for effective treatment.

Lifestyle Factors Don't Tell the Whole Story

Traditional risk factors like obesity, poor diet, lack of exercise, drinking, and smoking have been linked to colorectal cancer in younger patients. But these lifestyle factors alone cannot "account for the massive change that we have seen in a relatively short time frame," Coleman explains.

Many younger patients, including Van Der Beek, appeared to be in excellent health before their diagnosis. "I was biohacking, I was doing the saunas and the cold plunges and all of it, and I had stage three cancer, and had no idea," the father of six told a US television interview in December.

The Mystery Deepens

"We don't know" what's driving this increase, admits Jenny Seligmann, a colorectal cancer researcher at the University of Leeds in the UK.

This uncertainty has led scientists to explore new possibilities, including the role of the microbiome, the complex ecosystem of microbes living in our digestive systems. A study published in Nature last year discovered what Coleman calls a "really important first clue": DNA mutations from a toxin called colibactin, produced by common E. coli bacteria, were significantly more prevalent in younger colorectal cancer patients than in older ones.

Research has also suggested that repeated antibiotic use might be associated with early-onset colorectal cancer, though much more investigation is needed.

Seligmann notes that she's seeing many different subtypes of colorectal cancer in her clinic, suggesting multiple causes rather than a single culprit. "It's going to be very difficult to pinpoint it to one cause," she says.

Early Screening Could Save Lives

Before his death, Van Der Beek urged people to seek medical attention for any concerning symptoms. "I want to shout from the rooftops: if you are 45 or older, talk to your doctor," he said.

The most noticeable symptoms of colorectal cancer include changes in bowel movements such as diarrhea or constipation, blood in stool, unexplained weight loss, and persistent fatigue.

Due to rising cases among younger adults, the United States lowered its recommended screening age from 50 to 45 in 2021. Medical professionals are calling for other countries to follow suit, though the UK and France still begin screening at age 50.

For Filipinos, particularly those with family histories of cancer or concerning symptoms, early consultation with healthcare providers could prove life-saving as this mysterious trend continues to unfold globally.