Hi Friends,

Dr. Tabibian here.

I was deeply saddened to hear the news yesterday that actor James Van Der Beek passed away from colorectal cancer.

He was only 48 years old.

My heart goes out to his loved ones. 48 is simply far too young.

While it is difficult to talk about, his passing serves as a sobering reminder for all of us.

I want to take a brief moment today to step away from our usual deep-dives and simply remind you to protect yourself.

Please, do not delay getting screened.

Colorectal cancer was historically considered a disease of aging. Today, however, we are seeing a veritable rise in cases among adults in their 30s and 40s.

While genetics play a role, this generational shift strongly points to modern environmental and lifestyle factors…

Including the bioaccumulation of pollutants, toxins, and microplastics in the gut.

The hardest truth about colorectal cancer is its unpredictability.

It does not discriminate.

You can be White or Black, man or woman, thin or obese.

You can be a lifelong smoker, or someone who has never touched a cigarette.

You can be a heavy meat eater, or a strict vegetarian.

The disease can develop in anyone, and with minimal or no warning signs.

In recent years, we have lost far too many bright lights and recognizable names to complications of this disease.

It took the life of Chadwick Boseman at 43.

Just last month, we lost the beloved Catherine O'Hara.

And now, James Van Der Beek at 48.

For many of us, we need not look so far, having had colorectal cancer in our families or close friends.

The single best defense we have is early detection.

If you take one thing away from this email, let it be this: Do not delay your colorectal cancer screening beyond age 45.

And depending on your personal health background and your family history, you may need to start screening well before your 45th birthday.

Please, do not let embarrassment or fear keep you from a test that could save your life.

Respond to this email and let us know.

As gastroenterologists, we definitely have a lot to talk about when it comes to your gut health and well-being. But we can’t always get to everything. So reply directly to this email or DM us on TikTok below and maybe YOUR topic will be featured soon.