James Van Der Beek's Journey With Cancer
- Actor James Van Der Beek, 48, who has been battling stage 3 colorectal cancer, is going “back to work” — and is looking forward to taking on the role of Dean Wilson in the new “Legally Blonde” prequel “Elle.”
- Experts in oncology and mental health often recommend patients continue to work, if they are able, while facing cancer as it can provide a sense of normalcy and a distraction from feeling sick.
- Van Der Beek’s cancer was discovered during a colonoscopy.
- Colon cancers start out as a polyp, or small growth, in the colon that causes no symptoms. Although polyps can’t be felt, they can be picked up by screening tests before they cause a problem. It takes up to 10 years for a colon polyp to become a full-blown cancer, which gives doctors time to remove the polyp beforehand. This is why getting regular colonoscopies is important.
- The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends colon cancer screenings should begin at 45-years-old. This is in response to a rise in colon cancer diagnoses in younger adults.
Van Der Beek, 48, who played the titular character Dawson Leary on “Dawson’s Creek,” took to social media this week to celebrate the big news of his new role.
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He continued, referring to Deadline’s article, “Super excited to join this awesome cast in such a fun project.
“Almost as excited as my wife and girls are that I’m doing this #LegallyBlond #Elle.”
In response to his post, his wife Kimberly commented, “Annabel [one of his children] and I NEEDED this!”
Even Reese Witherspoon, the star of the original “Legally Blonde” movie and an executive producer of the new series, commented, “YES!! Best news ever ! Welcome to our show.”
Fans were also ecstatic about Van Der Beek’s new role, with one writing amidst the commentary, “One of favorite actors in the prequel to one of my favorite movies?? Yes please!!”
As per Deadline, Van Der Beek is set to appear in the prequel series for Prime Video, starring 23-year-old actress Lexi Minetree as Elle.
Van Der Beek was cast as Dean Wilson, Bel Air, California’s new mayoral candidate and current school district superintendent.
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Others casted in the new series, according to Deadline, include “Burning Love” actress Dune Diane Raphael as Elle’s mom Eva and “That Thing You Do!” actor Tom Everett Scott as Elle’s dad Wyatt.
The new series follows Elle’s journey through high school and the formative experiences that mold her into the iconic “Legally Blonde” character, according to IMDB.
It’s so inspiring to see Van Der Beek looking forward to working amid a battle with cancer.
Van Der Beek’s Colon Cancer Diagnosis
The actor learned he had colorectal cancer last year after getting a colonoscopy. He told People in a tell-all interview that his bowel issues led him to get checked.
“I thought maybe I needed to stop coffee. Or maybe not put cream in the coffee. But when I cut that out and it didn’t improve, I thought, ‘All right, I better get this checked out,'” he said.
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Before Van Der Beek’s interview was published, the beloved actor wrote the following alongside a November 3 Instagram post, “‘It is cancer…’ Each year, approximately 2 billion people around the world receive this diagnosis. And I’m one of them.”
Colorectal cancer occurs when polyps in the colon become cancerous. It can take up to 10 years for a colon polyp to become cancerous, according to SurvivorNet experts, which is why it’s so important to undergo regular screening and get polyps removed before they progress.
“We know that colon cancers can be prevented when polyps are found early,” Dr. Heather Yeo, a surgical oncologist who specializes in colorectal cancers at Weill Cornell Medicine, told SurvivorNet.
“Lowering the screening age helps somewhat with this, but access to care is a real problem,” Dr. Yeo added.
In recent years, the American Gastrointestinal Association lowered the recommended initial age for a colorectal screening from 50 to 45.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends guidelines that state colon cancer screenings should begin at 45 years old. This is in response to the increase we see in colon cancer diagnoses in younger adults.
However, many insurance companies still do not cover the cost of screenings for those under 50. In the past, the disease had predominantly been found in adults 50 years or older, but for those predisposed to getting it at a younger age, these new guidelines could help catch it earlier.
What Happens During A Colonoscopy?
The advantage of a colonoscopy is that your doctor can remove any polyps found during the test. Many colon cancers can be caught on colonoscopy before they develop or when the polyps are small enough to be removed without surgery.
Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal cancer surgeon and Director of the Cedars-Sinai Colorectal Cancer Center, explained that the process is effective and painless.
“When we see a polyp, we actually physically take the polyp out through the colonoscope,” he explained. “… That means we basically put a wire through with a little bit of a flange at the end, and we pull the polyp out. Now, note there is no pain with that. Inside the colon, there are no pain fibers. So, there’s no pain.”
WATCH: Looking for Polyps During Colonoscopy
Understanding Treatment Options
Although, Van Der Beek has chosen to keep the details of his colon cancer journey and treatment process private, there are many different ways to treat the disease, including:
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Immunotherapy
Surgery
Surgery is the main treatment for most early-stage colon cancers, according to the doctors SurvivorNet spoke with. The surgeon will remove the part of the colon or rectum where there is cancer, along with a small area of healthy tissue around it. Taking out as much of the cancer as possible is important for improving your outcome.
The surgery may be performed through small incisions (laparoscopy), or through a larger incision. Some people may need to wear a special bag (ostomy) to collect wastes after surgery.
WATCH: Deciding When to Operate on Colon Cancer
Radiation Therapy
This treatment aims high-energy x-rays at the cancer to destroy the abnormal cells. The radiation can come from a machine outside your body, or be placed directly inside your body. Sometimes people get radiation before surgery, to shrink the tumor and make it easier for the surgeon to remove. This is called neoadjuvant radiation.
Chemotherapy
This treatment uses strong medicine to stop cancer cells from dividing, no matter where they are in your body. You may get a combination of chemotherapy drugs as your first treatment. Chemotherapy has been very well studied for colorectal cancer, and it is known to improve survival.
The most common therapy is a combination of chemo drugs called FOLFOX:
- FOL = leucovorin calcium (folinic acid)
- F = fluorouracil
- OX = oxaliplatin
Your doctor may add medications like irinotecan (FOLFIRI) or cetuximab, depending on how well your tumor shrinks with treatment and other specifics about your particular cancer. For FOLFOX, the medications are given through the vein and require regular doctor visits.
To determine exactly which chemotherapy regimen you get, your doctor will consider your age and how well you might tolerate the side effects. Gene mutations (for example, BRAF and KRAS) and the location of the primary colon tumor also factor into the decision.
You can also get chemotherapy before colon cancer surgery, which is called neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Getting chemo first helps to shrink the tumor, which can make both the surgery and recovery easier. Chemo is also a treatment option for cancer that returns after therapy.
Targeted Therapy
This treatment targets substances like proteins or genes that the cancer needs to grow. This makes targeted therapy more precise than chemotherapy, and less likely to damage healthy cells. One example of targeted therapy is bevacizumab (Avastin), which stops the growth of new blood vessels that feed tumors. Another group of targeted therapies are called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors, which block the cancer from growing.
Immunotherapy
This treatment makes your own immune system a more efficient cancer fighter. A group of drugs called checkpoint inhibitors, which includes pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and nivolumab (Opdivo), work by preventing cancer cells from hiding from your immune system. Checkpoint inhibitors may extend the amount of time before the cancer spreads.
WATCH: Dr. Paul Oberstein on stage 4 colon cancer treatment options
Working Through Cancer
Many oncologists have told SurvivorNet that working during cancer treatment can help a patient’s prognosis.
Doctors and social workers often recommend working, if possible, because it can help establish a sense of normalcy in the patient’s life.
WATCH: Working during cancer treatment
In addition to ensuring regular income, continuing to work can help patients take their mind off being sick. Plus, regular contact with others will prevent feelings of isolation and loneliness that sometimes come with cancer.
If you’re currently undergoing treatment, it’s important to talk with your doctor before taking the big step of returning to work. Some people can continue to work during cancer treatment with little issue, while others need time away to rest and recover.
It depends on the person, their cancer, and the treatment.
Questions To Ask Your Doctor
If you are facing a colon cancer diagnosis, here are some questions you may ask your doctor.
- What are my treatment options based on my diagnosis?
- If I’m worried about managing the costs of cancer care, who can help me?
- What support services are available to me? To my family?
- What are the risks and possible side effects of treatment?
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
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