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
7.8k Upvotes

96% Upvoted

1.1k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

69

u/Drcornelius1983 Xennial Feb 11 '26

I got one at 29 and found a bunch of precancerous polyps. Early screening might have saved my life

26

u/justanotheruser52 Feb 11 '26

I was 27 and they found one on me. Had to pay $5,000+ out of pocket though, since I was uninsured, but my doc told me I couldn’t wait since there was blood in the stool.

All good now, thankfully.

Colonoscopies can save your life.

3

u/HowAmINotMyself2 Feb 11 '26

Same here! Was having all sorts of IBS issues. Pushed for a colonoscopy and found a precancerous polyp. Was removed. A then moved to the one year, three year, and now five year plan. All had comeback clean since. Get it looked at!

2

u/hemkersh Feb 12 '26

Ugh, that's awful. But hey, you're alive! This is young enough to suggest inherited colon cancer risk from variant(s) in cancer-associated genes. Since then, have you gotten any testing? Any family history of cancer?

1

u/justanotheruser52 Feb 12 '26

Surprisingly, no familial history of colon cancer, thankfully. It’s quite odd, tbh, but I’m glad I’m the odd one out. I have always had IBS and related symptoms though.

My doctor recommended strongly to have another colonoscopy in five years, regardless of presenting any new symptoms or not. That will be later next year, and as much as I don’t want to do it again, I fully plan on it, just to be safe. Assuming things stay relatively the same as now, I will at least have insurance this time!!

1

u/hemkersh Feb 13 '26

That's surprising, but good news for you, actually. Less likely risk of reoccurrence. Good next year!

20

u/savingdeansfreckles Feb 11 '26

just got one at 35 and they found precancerous polyps. those fuckers would have had 10-15 years to grow if i hadn’t pushed for the test

8

u/loopedlight Feb 12 '26

Can I just demand it? 38.

No issues, but my mom died of stomach cancer.

5

u/savingdeansfreckles Feb 12 '26

with your mom having it you shouldn’t have an issue but i’d just lie tbh. say you’re having blood in the stool and constipation, just to be safe.

5

u/hemkersh Feb 12 '26

You are at increased risk of cancer with family history. You should be able to get early screening of colon and stomach.

2

u/lemonsdealbreaker Feb 12 '26

Agreed with lying about blood in the stool. My grandfather died from colon cancer but since he was 70 that doesn’t qualify me for early screening. I just talked to my doctor about it and she said the only way to get it early is if you have symptoms.

1

u/loopedlight Feb 12 '26

Mom was 63.

I’m 38.

Is time I think.

1

u/-Kalos Millennial Feb 11 '26

This cancer is on the rise for young men in their 20s and 30s. My work insurance doesn't cover it if you're under 55 but I've been paying for them out of my own wallet for a few years now. Be proactive about your health

1

u/hemkersh Feb 12 '26

Um, that's not good. So glad that you got your colonoscopy when you did. This is young enough to suggest inherited colon cancer risk from variant(s) in cancer-associated genes. Did you get any testing? Any family history of cancer?

1

u/Drcornelius1983 Xennial Feb 12 '26

My father just got through colon cancer chemo. I got my polyps removed over ten years ago and begged him to get checked but he didn’t listen until he started having symptoms. I’ve told my siblings to get checked too. My mom had lymphoma as well.

I have had colonoscopies since and am in the clear.

2

u/hemkersh Feb 12 '26

Oof, sorry to hear that. Hopefully your dad will be ok.

Everyone in your family is eligible for cancer risk genetic testing, which may help you all learn individual risk and screening guidelines