Finding Your Way Through Treatment Costs
- Beloved actor and father of six, James Van Der Beek, has raised $47,000 from his “Dawson’s Creek” and “Varsity Blues” memorabilia to support his fight against colon cancer.”
- Van Der Beek, who auctioned off a variety of nostalgic items this month, received his colon cancer diagnosis in 2023. Although he hasn’t shared details about his treatment, stage 3 colorectal cancer typically involves surgery to remove the tumor and nearby lymph nodes, followed by chemotherapy to target any remaining cancer cells that may have spread beyond the colon.
- Medical expenses can be overwhelming, but if you’re facing high healthcare costs, it’s important to know you’re not alone. There are resources available to help you manage bills and access the care you need.
- Various resources are available to help cover medical expenses, including oncologists who can negotiate with insurance providers on behalf of patients, social workers, patient assistance programs, and charitable foundations.
- SurvivorNet offers lists of resources available to you for help paying your health bills.
The auction, held from December 5 to 7 in London, England, showcased pieces from his wardrobe along with props and set items, with all proceeds going directly to Van Der Beek to help cover his medical expenses.
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From “Varsity Blues,” Van Der Beek’s hat sold for $4,660 and a pair of cleats for $2,663.
In a statement, made by Van Der Beek prior to the auction, he said, “I’ve been storing these treasures for years, waiting for the right time to do something with them, and with all of the recent unexpected twists and turns life has presented recently, it’s clear that the time is now.
“While I have some nostalgia tugging at me as I part with these items, it feels good to be able to offer them through Propstore’s auction to share with those who have supported my work over the years.”
Van Der Beek also recently shared on Instagram that his “favorite jersey'” was now available for purchase, responding to popular demand, for those interested in other items for sale.
Alongside a video clip of him throwing a football around the jersey, he wrote, “Maybe it was all fun plays we got run in the football sequences for the away games… but I always loved putting on the varsity whites.
“Last year when I released the Blues jersey, I was blown away by the love and support I received from all of you. It has meant more than I can ever express. I hope you enjoy this one as much as the original. For me, every jersey I sign is a magical full-circle moment.”
Van Der Beek then thanked fans for their overwhelming support, love, and prayers, highlighting that the jersey has taken on a significance far beyond the film.
He shared that all proceeds will go toward treatment and assisting families navigating similar journeys.
Van Der beek added that only a small number of jerseys are up for grabs and promised to get signed orders out more quickly this time.
Van Der Beek’s Colon Cancer Journey
The actor discovered he had colorectal cancer in 2023 following a colonoscopy. In an interview with People, he revealed that persistent bowel issues prompted him to get examined.
“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’d better get this checked out,'” he said.
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Prior to the release of his interview, the beloved actor shared the following message with an Instagram post 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 develops when colon polyps turn malignant. According to SurvivorNet experts, this transformation can take up to 10 years, making regular screenings and timely removal of polyps essential for prevention.”
“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 in an earlier interview.
“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 colorectal screening from 50 to 45.
RELATED: How Can Doctors Help by Advocating for Patient Care?
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 Treatment Looks Like for Stage 3 Colon Cancer
It’s unclear what Van Der Beek’s treatment plan is, but it’s important to understand at stage 3, the colon cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, signaling a more aggressive disease that requires a comprehensive treatment approach.
“Stage 3 means that there’s some cancer in the lymph nodes,” explains Dr. Heather Yeo, a colorectal surgeon and surgical oncologist, in an interview with SurvivorNet. She emphasizes that patients facing this diagnosis should seriously consider chemotherapy as part of their treatment plan.
“Colon cancer patients with stage 3 should at least have a conversation about undergoing chemotherapy,” she says.
WATCH: Stage Three Means Cancer Has Spread Outside the Colon Wall
Despite the seriousness of the diagnosis, there is reason for optimism.
“Stage 3 cancers have probably a 50% to 60% survival at five years,” Dr. Yeo adds, underscoring the potential for long-term recovery when treatment is timely and effective.
The standard protocol for stage 3 colon cancer typically begins with surgery to remove the tumor and affected lymph nodes. This is followed by adjuvant chemotherapy—treatment administered after surgery to eliminate any remaining cancer cells that may have spread beyond the colon.
Adjuvant chemotherapy usually begins within six to eight weeks after surgery, once the patient has recovered. One of the most widely used regimens is FOLFOX, a combination of fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, and leucovorin. However, other chemotherapy options may be considered based on individual patient needs and emerging research.
“Now, for the chemotherapy, there certainly are newer agents and newer choices that could be integrated into a clinical trial,” notes Dr. Daniel Labow, Chief of the Surgical Oncology Division at Mount Sinai Health System. He adds, “Patients with stage 3 are often cured, with both surgery and chemotherapy.”
Even with successful treatment, vigilance remains essential. The risk of recurrence within five years is estimated to be between 20% and 25%, making follow-up care and monitoring a vital part of survivorship.
Chemotherapy After Surgery: A Critical Step in Treating Stage 3 Colon Cancer
The goal: reduce the risk of recurrence and improve long-term survival.
“Once a person completes that chemotherapy, we expect that they’re done,” says Dr. Paul Oberstein, a medical oncologist specializing in gastrointestinal cancers. “They need to be watched very closely so that if there are signs that this has come back, we detect it early.”
WATCH: Using Chemo to Treat Stage 3 Colon Cancer
Post-surgical chemotherapy typically lasts between three and six months and involves a regimen of medications proven in clinical trials to be most effective at preventing the cancer from returning. The most widely used combination is known as FOLFOX—a protocol that includes three drugs:
- 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)
- Leucovorin
- Oxaliplatin
These medications are administered intravenously, usually every two weeks. Patients are connected to an IV pole during treatment sessions, which take place in a clinical setting. The process may feel routine, but its impact is anything but.
FOLFOX works by attacking cancer cells at multiple levels—disrupting DNA synthesis, enhancing drug effectiveness, and damaging cancer cell structures. While side effects like fatigue, neuropathy, and nausea are common, the regimen remains a cornerstone of colon cancer care due to its proven ability to reduce recurrence and extend survival.
Getting Help With the Bills & Unpaid Debt
Medical debt is something most cancer patients (and people, really) struggle with. However, there are resources that you may not know about. SurvivorNet has complied this guide to help you get the resources you need to pay the bills and keep them from going to collections.
Advocating Oncologists
It’s common for doctors to get on the phone and advocate on your behalf with your insurance company. Many drug companies and clinical trials also offer patient assistance programs.
Paying for Cancer Find Someone Who Will Advocate for You
Dr. Allyson Ocean, a medical oncologist at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, previously told SurvivorNet she’s on the phone with insurance companies nearly every day, trying to make sure her patients can get the treatment they need, and get it paid for.
“My best advice to work around the system of whether or not drugs or tests can be covered for cancer is to make sure you have an advocate in your field working for you,” Dr. Ocean said.
“The frustrating part for me is that sometimes we even have to educate the insurance companies and say, ‘There’s a reason why I want to use this medicine.'”
Connect With a Social Worker
Dr. Nina Shah, a hematologist at the University of California San Francisco, previously told SurvivorNet that when it comes to the high costs associated with cancer treatment sometimes called “financial toxicity” it can be helpful for patients to speak with social workers.
The social workers at your cancer care clinic can help guide you through the various options.
“The best way to look at this and find the resources that are available is to speak with the social worker associated with (your cancer center),” Dr. Shah said. “Because that person usually knows what resources are available and what you can do to access them.”
Patient Assistance Programs
Physicians and the navigators who help patients have said that when it comes to the cost of a specific cancer drug or treatment, the assistance programs offered by pharmaceutical companies can help those of us who can’t afford the full cost.
Most big drug companies have programs like these in place. While there may be maximum income thresholds, it can be useful to simply ask. In the case of newer medications, drugmakers often will make exceptions as they want as many people as possible taking their products.
Navigating approval criteria can be very tricky an example of a circumstance in which social workers can be a big help.
If You’re Struggling To Pay For Cancer Bills
Many people worry that they will not be able to cover the cost of cancer care, even with the help of insurance.
You should know there are many organizations and programs in place that can help patients to cover bills as well as other costs associated with cancer treatment. Below, we’ve rounded up some resources you may consider.
For Help With Treatment Bills
- The Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition can direct patients and their families to available resources (both national and regional) that may be able to help with the bills. Many treatment centers offer extended payment plans and some may offer temporary payment delays.
- CancerCare, which connects patients with oncology social workers, may be able to assist with co-pays, transportation, and other costs associated with care.
- The HealthWell Foundation may be able to help uninsured patients pay for treatment.
- The American Cancer Society may be able to link patients and their families up with local resources (they offer a 24/7 helpline).
- The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) works with patients and their insurance companies to resolve issues and may provide direct financial support to some patients.
- The Patient Access Network Foundation may be able to help with out-of-pocket costs associated with cancer treatment.
Navigating the Costs of Treatment: How a Social Worker Can Help
For Help With Transportation and/or Housing
There are several programs that may be able to assist patients if they need to travel by plane to get treatment, including Air Care Alliance, the Corporate Angel Network, and PALS (Patient Airlift Services).
Expert Resources On Coping With Medical Bills
- Great News for Those Struggling With Unpaid Medical Bills: Repaid Health Debt No Longer Affects Credit Scores
- A Quick Guide to Getting Help Paying The Cancer Bills– Now That Treatment Is Expected to Rise 30% In A Decade
- Where Cancer Caregivers Can Get Help With Finances: Coping With the Bills
- Other Ways to Get Help Paying The Cancer Bills as New Research Finds Crowdfunding Sites Often Fall Short
Patients with Medicaid may be entitled to help paying for transportation costs to and from treatment.
- The American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery program can hook patients and their families up with volunteer drivers.
- Mercy Medical Angels may be able to help patients and their families pay for transportation.
- The Healthcare Hospitality Network can assist with housing if a patient must be treated far from home.
- The American Cancer Society Hope Lodge Program gives patients and their caregivers a free place to stay during treatment in dozens of cities across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
For Help With Food
Food assistance may be available to people going through cancer treatment and their caregivers. Look into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – aka SNAP – or a program like Meals on Wheels.
Dr. Mikkael Sekeres explains why it’s so important to discuss the cost of drugs with patients.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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