James Van Der Beek shared one colorectal cancer symptom that led to diagnosis before death

The world is still in shock over the tragic death of Dawson's Creek star James Van Der Beek, aged just 48.

It was announced yesterday (11 February) that the actor has passed away 'peacefully' following a two-and-a-half-year battle with colorectal cancer.

The star was diagnosed in late 2023 following a screening which revealed the existence of a tumour that developed into stage three cancer.

An official statement penned by his family and shared to Instagram, read: "Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace.

"There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity, and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend."

During his cancer battle, Van Der Beek was open about his journey and the symptoms he experienced in order to raise awareness of the disease.

James Van Der Beek has died following a battle with colorectal cancer (Instagram/@vanderjames)

In November 2024, he revealed the one symptom that prompted him to go to the doctors and get checked out.

Van Der Beek explained to PEOPLE Magazine that the first red flag was a change in bowel habits, however, at first he simply put this down to drinking a lot of coffee.

He told the publication: “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 better get this checked out.’”

After his colonoscopy he wasn’t worried, and the cancer news came as a shock as he had no family history of the disease, was in 'great shape' and 'eating healthy'.

"I felt really good coming out of anesthesia, that I’d finally done it,” he said, “Then the gastroenterologist said – in his most pleasant bedside manner – that it was cancer. I think I went into shock."

Van Der Beek admitted: "I’d always associated cancer with age and with unhealthy, sedentary lifestyles. But I was in amazing cardiovascular shape. I tried to eat healthy – or as far as I knew it at the time."

In the UK, about 44,100 people get cancer in the colon or rectum each year, as well as about 150,000 Americans diagnosed per year.

Many people think of cancer as a disease of old age, but recent trends and research indicate this is no longer the case. In fact, colorectal cancer is now the number one cause of cancer-related death in the US for men and women under 50 years of age.

The father-of-six initially thought his change in bowel habits was down to drinking coffee (Instagram/@vanderjames)

It's important to be aware of the symptoms as bowel cancer can be treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early.

Bowel Cancer UK outline that nearly everyone survives bowel cancer if diagnosed at the earliest stage.

Symptoms of bowel cancer

• Changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you
• Needing to poo more or less often than usual for you
• Blood in your poo, which may look red or black
• Bleeding from your bottom
• Often feeling like you need to poo, even if you've just been to the toilet
• Tummy pain
• A lump in your tummy
• Bloating
• Losing weight without trying
• Feeling very tired or short of breath – these are signs of anaemia, which can be caused by bowel cancer