Following the announcement of actor James Van Der Beek, best known for his role in Dawson’s Creek, has passed away following his recent diagnosis of bowel cancer, a leading colorectal surgeon from New Victoria Hospital is urging the public – especially those under 50 years – to take proactive steps in getting screened early.
Best known for his role in Dawson’s Creek, Van Der Beek, at the time he announced his condition noted in interviews diagnosis that he had been privately managing the condition after noticing a change that prompted him to seek medical attention.
The actor has reignited concerns about the growing incidence of colorectal cancer, particularly in younger individuals. Global studies have found that the incidence of bowel cancer rates have increased faster in younger adults than in older adults in 30% of the countries studied[1]. Experts have flagged that the alarming statistics stem from a surge in obesity, poor diets and physical inactivity.
“I’m seeing a rise in younger patients at the hospital who are presenting with symptoms that either haven’t been investigated or have been misdiagnosed,”
“I’m seeing a rise in younger patients at the hospital who are presenting with symptoms that either haven’t been investigated or have been misdiagnosed,” says Mr. Pasha Nisar, Consultant General and Colorectal Surgeon from JAG Accredited New Victoria Hospital, London. “For instance, some patients assume or are informed that the tell tale symptom of blood in their stools is due to haemorrhoids, as bowel cancer is not something that’s typically associated with younger age groups.”
The surgeon is urging young people to be diligent and proactive about regularly screening for bowel cancer, as waiting for symptoms to manifest can mean the cancer has already progressed.
In the UK, bowel cancer screening for adults aged 54-74 yrs is typically done using the FIT (faecal immunochemical test). “This sensitive test detects microscopic blood in the stool, prompting further evaluation if positive,” says Mr Nisar. “However, while the FIT test is available for screening through the NHS, the threshold for recommending a colonoscopy based on a positive FIT result is relatively high (100 micrograms per gram), before recommending a colonoscopy. Privately, adults may wish to undergo screening with FIT at a younger age and in contrast, the threshold is much lower, set at 10 micrograms per gram.
“At New Victoria Hospital, we adopt a lower threshold when screening for bowel cancer using FIT. This approach enables us to recommend colonoscopy for individuals with lower levels of blood detected in their stool. By doing so, we facilitate a more proactive screening process, increasing the likelihood of detecting abnormalities at an earlier stage. This proactive approach has the potential to detect tumours and polyps earlier and prevent more advanced disease.”
Common bowel cancer symptoms include blood in stools, changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, weight loss and anaemia. However, Pasha says that these signs may appear late in the disease process, making them unsuitable indicators for early detection. By the time overt symptoms develop the disease can be more advanced.
“When the cancer has grown to a certain level where it can cause a partial blockage on the left side of the colon, which is when the stools become loose, or a lesion starts to bleed quite obviously,” he explains. “With a right sided colon cancer there may not be any visible blood in the stool, but patients may experience fatigue. The GP may do a blood test, which shows anaemia, but they may not realise it’s caused by bowel cancer. It’s hit and miss, and some symptoms and signs are not very reliable.”
New Victoria Hospital announces is accredited by the Joint Advisory Group on Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (JAG), which ensures that patients receive the highest standard of care, from diagnosis to treatment. Accreditation is awarded to endoscopy services that meet rigorous quality standards, providing independent recognition of excellence in patient care and surgical outcomes.
New Victoria Hospital’s Self Pay service enables individuals of all ages to self-refer for a Gastroenterology consultation with quick access to diagnostic tests such as FIT test and endoscopy services. With over half of bowel cancer cases in the UK being preventable, Nisar urges individuals to take a proactive approach to screening and prioritise their health.
“Our latest JAG accreditation means our patients can be assured that they are in the best hands possible for early diagnosis and peace of mind. Getting a life-changing diagnosis can be very stressful, so knowing that your healthcare provider is offering the best service at every level is important.”
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