The recent passing of Dawson’s Creek actor James Van Der Beek, who died at age 48 from colorectal cancer, is a stark reminder of colorectal cancer’s shocking new statistic: colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer deaths in people under age 50. For many types of cancers, the death rate is decreasing, but not for colorectal cancer. Unfortunately, despite the increase in colorectal cancer diagnoses, many adults between ages 45 and 50 are still not getting screened.
Dr. Betsy Rodriguez, a board-certified Gastroenterologist with The Oregon Clinic Gastroenterology East appeared on KATU News to speak about the new statistic, the importance of colonoscopy screening starting at age 45, and symptoms of colorectal cancer.
Watch Dr. Betsy Rodriguez on KATU News