James Van Der Beek Diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer

[p0uritup]

James Van Der Beek Diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer: 'There’s Reason for Optimism, and I’m Feeling Good' (Exclusive) https://t.co/X86VNHAdGF
- People (@people) November 3, 2024
James tells PEOPLE exclusively that he has colorectal cancer

Comments

Roll out for the carcinomies!

[the5thcircle]

I hope he caught this early.

A gentle reminder: the WHO recommends colonoscopies starting at 45. You should be doing this sooner if you have a family history or are in a high-risk demographic (prior suspicious polyps, POC, Lynch syndrome, family history of colorectal cancer, FAP, IBS, or colitis).

Only 1/3 of colon cancer diagnoses have a family history. It can be other things than blood including 50+% reporting constipation. 1 in 24 diagnoses are people under the screening age.

I would also like to thank the ONTDer who recommended boba straws for drinking the prep liquid. It's remission year 4 and I'm due for my scope. I intend to implement that advice in January. The prep, not the procedure, is the worst part.

Re: Roll out for the carcinomies!

[ty]

If you have a way, also try to get a baseline mammogram or screening at 40

Re: Roll out for the carcinomies!

[breathe_me]

Canada (or just Ontario?) recently changed the screening age to 40 so I went for my first one in October about 2 weeks after my birthday. I got the results on Friday, all good! I wanted to have the baseline but I also wanted to be sure. I actually booked my appointment just after Jenna Fischer announced she was in remission. I figured there was no point in waiting.

The procedure was a lot better than I thought it would be. The very last position hurt me as in I was sore for most of the day but honestly it was nothing like the pain I assumed it would be.

Re: Roll out for the carcinomies!

[evilgerbil]

Congrats on being in remission! People with Ashkenazi Jewish heritage are also at higher risk than the general population. I really hate procedure prep. I wonder how the colonoscopy prep compares to a barium sulfate for an abdominal CT. I swear it was 1 liter of fluid in 20 minutes. I remember it being timed and the liquid is so chalky and thick, like glue, it's really hard to get it down.

Re: Roll out for the carcinomies!

[dustbunnylife]

If I have Ashkenazi heritage I wonder if my insurance would cover testing before 40.....

RE: Roll out for the carcinomies!

[godlizza]

I didn’t find the prep bad at all. Whatever they had me drink didn’t taste super disgusting when mixed with whatever flavor additive they gave me and I have a bidet so the actual bathroom part was a breeze.

I got my first one at 36 since my mom had colon cancer at 46.

Re: Roll out for the carcinomies!

[komnene]

If you haven't done this already, also adding ice! The colder the drink the better.

You can also get a prescription for anti-nausea meds though I haven't tried this.

Re: Roll out for the carcinomies!

[uncletam]

My mom was recently diagnosed with colorectal cancer too so your post is reassuring! Congratulations on remission and wishing you the best! 💫

Re: Roll out for the carcinomies!

[the5thcircle]

I send all the best wishes to your mom and you. I walked away from Stage IV to be a year from "cured". Keep heart.

Re: Roll out for the carcinomies!

[lpbrowncoat]

I hope your scope is clean and congrats on being in remission for four years.

I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2017 and had my first colonoscopy. I was already really sick so it was difficult drinking the prep and almost vomited several times. I’m due for another one soon so thanks for the tip about the boba straw.

Re: Roll out for the carcinomies!

[creative_candy]

fellow carcinomie here! *waves*
so happy you're in remission, cancer suuuuuuucks. i am also in remission for breast cancer (almost 4 years), hopefully it never comes back. wishing you all the best! *tight internet hug*

Re: Roll out for the carcinomies!

[the5thcircle]

Hiya! *waves*
Cancer sucks but chemo is just woof! And BC chemo, too!

Remission for BC and nearly four years? That is wonderful news. All the positive vibes for clean checks.

Re: Roll out for the carcinomies!

[somacomatose]

congrats on the 4th year in remission!! my dad is in his 3rd year, we celebrate every time he gets the all clear for his colonoscopies 🥲