Think You’re Too Young for Colorectal Cancer? Think Again.

Chasing Life

CNN

Nutrition, Health & Fitness, Mental Health

4.5 • 8K Ratings

🗓️ 17 February 2026

⏱️ 15 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Colorectal cancer is rising quickly among young adults – in fact, it’s the leading cause of cancer deaths for adults under 50 in the United States. And after actor James Van Der Beek’s diagnosis and death at 48, many are wondering how to tell when everyday symptoms might actually be something more serious. On this week's Paging Dr. Gupta, we break down the red flags and tell you what to know about screening. Plus, vibration plates are popping up in gyms and living rooms — but do they actually deliver the benefits they promise? More on what’s behind the rise of colon cancer in young people with Dr. Kimmie Ng. This episode was produced by Andrea Kane, Jennifer Lai and Kyra Dahring. Showrunner: Amanda Sealy Senior Producer: Dan Bloom Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Paging Dr. Gupta.
0:07.0	This is the show where I get to answer your health questions.
0:10.0	I really appreciate you sending so many in.
0:13.0	My producer Andrea is with us today.
0:15.0	Who do we have up first?
0:17.0	Hi, Sanjay.
0:18.0	You might have heard the sad news that the actor James Vanderby, who was best known for his role in Dawson's Creek, died last week after a battle with colorectal cancer. He was only 48.
0:30.4	The news has a lot of people wondering what they should know about colorectal cancer, and especially the early warning signs.
0:38.5	What can you tell us?
0:39.4	All right.
0:41.1	Thank you so much for this question.
0:43.0	I'm really glad you asked.
0:48.3	I think the number of colorectal cancer cases among young people in this country is growing.
0:51.4	That's been happening for some time, more than 20 years now.
0:55.9	It has now surpassed other cancer types to become the leading cause of cancer death among people under the age of 50 in the United States.
1:00.7	That's as of 2023.
1:03.1	So let's get to your questions around screening and detection and the warning signs right after
1:08.4	the break.
1:10.8	Adobe Acrobat Studio so brand new.
1:13.3	Show me all the things that PDFs can do.
1:15.1	Do your work with ease and speed.
1:17.1	PDF spaces is all you need.
	...

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