## James Van Der Beek Says He Dismissed 1st Symptoms Of Colon Cancer
"I had a lot of fatigue, but I thought I was just overworked," Van Der Beek told People magazine. "I had some blood in my stool, but I thought it was just hemorrhoids."
It wasn't until the actor experienced persistent abdominal pain that he finally sought medical attention.
The actor says he's grateful that he caught the polyp early, before it had a chance to develop into cancer.
"I'm so lucky that I went to the doctor when I did," Van Der Beek said. "If I had waited any longer, it could have been a different story."
Colon Cancer: Symptoms and Risk Factors
Importance of Early Detection
The American Cancer Society recommends that people at average risk of colon cancer begin getting screened at age 45. People with a family history of colon cancer or other risk factors may need to start screening earlier.