The death of James Van Der Beek and key facts about the disease. “Diagnosis is often delayed, and tumors in people under 50 are more aggressive.” Nine out of ten cases could be prevented.
James Van Der Beek publicly announced his colorectal‑cancer diagnosis in November 2024, saying he first learned of the disease in August 2023 when he was 46 years old. He passed away on February 10, 2026, at age 48.
He spoke with optimism despite learning the cancer was already at an advanced, stage‑three level, and he championed prevention, becoming the face of a awareness campaign for a tumor that is on the rise among younger people, especially those under 50.
Because of the high cost of treatment—covered by the national health system in Italy but paid out‑of‑pocket in the United States—he faced substantial expenses and even auctioned off career memorabilia in November 2025 to help cover the costly care.
Rising Cases in People Under 50
“The alarm was first sounded in the United States a few years ago: it’s been since 2022 that experts have highlighted a surge in cancer cases among younger individuals, ‑ those under 50, says Massimo Di Maio, president of the Italian Association of Medical Oncology.” Since then, numerous studies have confirmed a growing trend, especially for breast cancer and for colorectal cancer. A recent American Cancer Society report added a worrying detail: not only are new diagnoses increasing, but deaths from colorectal cancer are rising as well.
Two factors make the situation more concerning: first, colorectal cancer appears to be more aggressive in younger patients, complicating treatment; second, people under 50 often receive a late diagnosis because they ignore early warning signs, leading to a frequently poor prognosis.
Four Symptoms Not to Ignore
What warning signs should prompt a medical visit? “Persistent diarrhea, bright‑red blood in or out of stool, ongoing abdominal pain, and anemia,” explains Antonino Spinelli, head of colorectal surgery at the Humanitas Clinical Institute in Milan. “These symptoms don’t always mean cancer, but dismissing them can be life‑threatening.”
Young adults often feel embarrassed discussing these issues with their doctors, but delaying care is never advisable. “Our research clearly shows that colon and rectal cancers are more aggressive in younger patients, even at early stages,” Spinelli adds.
The Situation in Italy
“Colorectal cancer generates nearly 49,000 new cases each year, making it the second most common cancer in Italy and the second leading cause of cancer death, accounting for about 20,000 fatalities,” notes Di Maio. “Although mortality is declining thanks to early‑detection programs, surgical advances, and better therapies, the incidence is climbing, especially among those under 50. Nine out of ten cases could be avoided with a simple, painless test that many Italians still skip.”
The Life‑Saving Test Too Few Italians Take
Almost 90 % of colorectal cancers arise from adenomas that typically take about a decade to become malignant. This window allows for early detection through the fecal occult blood test (FOBT), which can identify precancerous polyps before they turn dangerous. Yet more than half of Italians do not use this opportunity. The national health service offers the test free of charge to citizens aged 50‑70, sending a biennial invitation letter with a collection kit that can be dropped off at a local pharmacy. Results are mailed back within a few weeks.
If the FOBT is positive, patients are referred for a colonoscopy, which can remove any precancerous lesions or provide a biopsy, says Mario Scartozzi, professor of medical oncology at the University of Cagliari and director of oncology at the regional university hospital. “Screening intervenes before symptoms appear. Participation cuts colorectal‑cancer mortality by 20‑30 % thanks to early diagnosis and prompt treatment of initial lesions.”
