James Van Der Beek’s Death Shines Light on Early Colon Cancer Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore, a Gastroenterologist Says

This week, Dawson's Creek actor James Van Der Beek died at 48 after a battle with colorectal cancer, less than three years after his diagnosis. The actor's passing has brought attention to the troubling rise of colon cancer in younger Americans. One in five people diagnosed with colorectal cancer is now under the age of 55, according to the Cancer Research Institute.

"While colorectal cancer rates are declining in people ages 65 and older, they are increasing by about 2 percent per year in people ages 50 to 54...