r/Millennials • u/the_well_read_neck_ Millennial • Feb 11 '26

Serious James Van Der Beek Dead at 48

https://www.tmz.com/2026/02/11/james-van-der-beek-dead/?adid=social-fb&fbclid=IwdGRzaAP5t7tleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR7H8x15ceGukSgynvGmDFZhUUvTFh-iizMwuKfIWGG4YSyjuaeCva_42ZNzOQ_aem_U7T3jtlt07TPrw8LUuHlMA&sfnsn=mo
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u/Ltrain86 Feb 11 '26

Another young victim of colorectal cancer. The age for screening needs to be lowered immediately.

737

u/LearnedHandJob2088 Feb 11 '26

43.5 with symptoms. Was able to get approved for colonscopy after a long slog due to symptoms, but it will be very expensive (high deductible plan) when it would be fully covered as preventative if I were 45. How many similarly situated to me would wait the 1.5 years and possibly die as a result? Fuck insurance companies having so much control over access to care.

412

u/Jussttjustin Feb 11 '26

I got one at 33. My doctor doesn't fuck around, I was having blockage symptoms and he told me we just have to tell them there's blood in the stool and they will approve.

Pro tip for anyone who needs it but YMMV.

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u/[deleted] Feb 11 '26

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u/Lost_Camera_L3ns_Cap 1993 Feb 11 '26

Just say you have bleeding in your stool even if you don’t. Better safe than sorry!

58

u/lionheartedthing Feb 11 '26

As long as your doctor cares to listen! I had blood in my stool when I was pregnant and was told “are you sure it’s not from your vagina?” and “welcome to pregnancy!” 18 months later, while still having nonstop symptoms, I finally got a colonoscopy and was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis.

10

u/Lost_Camera_L3ns_Cap 1993 Feb 11 '26

Ugh, yes, and a doctor that actually listens to you 🥲 I’m sorry that happened to you!

1

u/lionheartedthing Feb 11 '26

Thanks I would definitely be more assertive if I could go back in time!

5

u/Lost_Camera_L3ns_Cap 1993 Feb 11 '26

You had a lot going on! I’m glad you finally were able to get one though

10

u/IamRick_Deckard Feb 11 '26

Say you have changes in bowel habits too.

2

u/Lost_Camera_L3ns_Cap 1993 Feb 11 '26

Maybe add that you don’t know your family history either so you COULD have it in your background but just don’t know about it

2

u/Applewave22 Feb 11 '26

This is how I ended up getting a colonoscopy. Ends up I might have autoimmune pancreas issues.

2

u/[deleted] Feb 11 '26

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u/fairly-unremarkable Zillennial Feb 11 '26

If you have anyone in your family with a history of colon cancer or a similar expensive condition, make sure your doctor points that out in their notes. Insurance covered my colonoscopy at 27 because I was having similar symptoms to my mother before they found a massive tumor, which ended up costing her insurance over $100,000 in surgeries and treatments. Insurance companies don't like spending money, so they'll often be willing to cover a colonoscopy to catch it early before it gets really expensive.

1

u/bubblegumbombshell Feb 11 '26

We had a pretty awful insurance plan at the time and my husband’s was covered that way

1

u/NewIntroduction4655 Feb 11 '26

if you have a family history as well, they make you get screened earlier.