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James Van Der Beek

James Van Der Beek

Actor and colorectal cancer advocate

Appears in 1 story

Notable Quotes

"There wasn't any red flag or something glaring. The one symptom I did experience was a change in bowel movements, which I chalked up to an effect of my coffee consumption." — Healthline interview, August 2025

"I'm the one telling all my friends to talk to their doctor, find out about screening options. Getting screened can save your life." — Guardant Health campaign, July 2025

Stories

Colorectal cancer takes younger lives as public figures sound the alarm

New Capabilities

Died February 11, 2026

Colorectal cancer now kills more Americans under 50 than any other cancer. James Van Der Beek, the actor who played Dawson Leery in the defining teen drama of the late 1990s, died February 11 at age 48 after a 30-month battle with the disease—becoming the latest public figure to put a face on an epidemic that medical guidelines have only recently begun to address.

Updated Feb 11