Finding Ways To Cope
- Actor James Van Der Beek has admitted that his battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer, which began in August 2023, has been an emotional journey, but his hope and optimism are helping him through adversity.
- Coping with a diagnosis or some other stressor in your life can be an emotional experience that affects your mental health. Psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik suggests people facing these kinds of challenges tap into their support group to help navigate their emotions.
- Dr. Dana Chase, a gynecologic oncologist at Arizona Oncology and an advocate for cancer patients to prioritize their mental health, told SurvivorNet, “We know from good studies that emotional health is associated with survival, meaning better quality of life is associated with better outcomes.”
- Our mental health can affect how we think, feel, and behave. Certain triggers like stress, traumatic events, or change in your physical health can affect mental health. It’s really important to keep tabs on your mental health and, if necessary, seek treatment. Please check out
- SurvivorNet’s mental health guide for resources to help you on your way.
Van Der Beek, whose diagnosis has made him an advocate for colon cancer screenings and early detection, said this week, during a “Good Morning America” interview with Robin Roberts, “Physically, I’m great. I’m feeling really good. Emotionally, you know, it’s a lot. It’s really a ride.”
Read MoreVan Der Beek added, “I was doing what I thought I needed to do, by getting a colonoscopy, which obviously I did need to do. I was in amazing cardiovascular shape, I was eating what I thought was healthy.
“And I had a whole agenda for what my year would be and what I thought my priorities would be in the next weeks and months, and the reality that all of that was going to change and take a different trajectory. It felt like a nightmare, honestly, at first, that I couldn’t wake up from.”
Looking at his diagnosis as a blessing, Van Der Beek said he feels his cancer battle will help him make changes that he wouldn’t have ever thought to make, adding, “That I’m going to look back in 30 years and say thank God this happened. So what can I do write now to make that that case?
He said 90 percent of his thoughts toward his cancer journey were positive and optimistic, but the other 10 percent was him “sobbing” and feeling as a “terrified mess.”
Expert Resources On Coping With Emotions
- Responding to Stress: How to Cope With Complex & Changing Emotions
- Mental Health and Cancer — The Fight, Flight or Freeze Response
- How to Be Realistically Optimistic: Coping With Mental Health Long-Term
- New Hard Evidence That Exercise Measurably Reduces Anxiety– 150 Minutes Per Week Makes The Difference
- How to Help Your Loved Ones Dealing With Loneliness, Anxiety, & Cancer
- Genetic Testing Can Match Those Living With Anxiety, Depression & More With Proper Medication
Van Der Beek continued, “It’s been an exercise in just being present through all of it and really just allowing the fear to come up and look at it.
“And also saying, ‘Why is this my prescription? Why are all these emotions coming up and how can this be great for me?”
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It’s wonderful to see Van Der Beek focusing on the positive amid his cancer journey, especially as the Thanksgiving holiday was just last week.
In honor of Thanksgiving, Van Der Beek shared a heartwarming family photo on Instagram with the caption, “It’s been a tough year.
“I’m thankful for all of it. For the giant life re-direct cancer has placed in my path. For the gift of knowing what it feels like to have friends come through on such a profound level, and in ways I never would have been able to ask for had I not been going through it.”
He continued, “I’m grateful for this new relationship I have to my body, and what I feed it. I’m grateful to each and every one of you who has reached out and sent good vibes and prayers. It all lands and makes a difference.
“And I’m more grateful than ever to my super human wife who has shown up on levels I never knew possible. Who has shown me what unconditional love is and the magic that comes from that. I am in awe of you, @vanderkimberly.”
The dad of six concluded, “And of course, I’m beyond thankful the little blond army of hearts who keep me present, active, and inspired just by being you. I love you guys beyond.”
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Understanding Colon Cancer & Van Der Beek’s Diagnosis
James Van Der Beek learned he had colorectal cancer last year after getting a colonoscopy done. He told People in his recent tell-all interview that his bowel issues led him to get checked.
“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,’” he told the celebrity news outlet.
Colorectal cancer happens when polyps are not removed and become cancerous. It can take up to 10 years for a colon polyp to become cancerous, according to SurvivorNet experts.
“We know that colon cancers can be prevented when polyps are found early,” Dr. Heather Yeo, a surgical oncologist who specializes in colorectal cancers at Weill Cornell Medicine, told SurvivorNet. “Lowering the screening age helps somewhat with this, but access to care is a real problem.”
Looking for Polyps During Colonoscopy
Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal cancer surgeon and Director of the Cedars-Sinai Colorectal Cancer Center, previously explained the colonoscopy procedure to SurvivorNet.
“When we see a polyp, we actually physically take the polyp out through the colonoscope,” he explained. “What does that mean? That means we basically put a wire through with a little bit of a flange at the end, and we pull the polyp out. Now, note there is no pain with that. Inside the colon, there are no pain fibers. So, there’s no pain.”
The advantage of a colonoscopy is that your doctor can remove any polyps found during the test. Many colon cancers can be caught on colonoscopy before they develop or when the polyps are small enough to be removed without surgery.
The American Gastrointestinal Association lowered the recommended initial age for a colorectal screening from 50 to 45.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends guidelines that state colon cancer screenings should begin at 45 years old. This is in response to the increase we see in colon cancer diagnoses in younger adults.
However, many insurance companies still do not cover the cost of screenings for those under 50. In the past, the disease had predominantly been found in adults 50 years or older, but for those predisposed to getting it at a younger age, these new guidelines could help catch it earlier.
Managing Your Mental Health in the Face of a Health Challenge or Major Life Change
It’s only natural for health challenges to have some sort of effect on one’s mental health. Although Van Der Beek appears to be coping well with his cancer journey, it’s important to note that the diagnosis of a cancer or disease or some external stressor like a troubled relationship can offset your mental health in ways you least expect.
Psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik previously told SurvivorNet that emotions will be fluid when facing a diagnosis. SurvivorNet has some tips to help keep your mental and emotional health in a good space if you find yourself coping with a stressful situation.
The National Institute of Mental Health advises to seek professional help if you are experiencing severe or distressing symptoms that have lasted two weeks or more, such as:
- Trouble sleeping
- Changes in appetite
- Struggling to leave bed in the morning because of your mood
- Trouble concentrating
- Loss of interest in things you usually enjoy
- Inability to perform normal daily functions and responsibilities
Equally as important is recognizing the value of self-care. The National Institute of Mental Health offers practical guidance on how to boost your weekly self-care routine.
- Regularly exercising
- Eating healthy, regular meals
- Staying hydrated
- Prioritizing sleep
- Exploring relaxation programs or techniques
- Setting goals/priorities
- Staying positive
- Connecting with others
Battling cancer comes with a ton of emotions. These can range from “anxiety, depression, financial toxicity, social isolation, and PTSD,” SurvivorNet expert and researcher at Moffitt Cancer Center Dr. Shelly Tworoger says.
Psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin also shared some simple tips to help you maintain good mental health and reduce stress amid adversity.
When it comes to dealing with anxiety, Dr. Strongin says it’s important to have a healthy relationship with your anxiety and get to know it rather than fear it, avoid it, or push it away.
Dr. Strongin explained, “By learning more about your anxious thoughts and tendencies, one can begin to answer their anxious thoughts even in moments when there aren’t any answers. For cancer patients, the worry thoughts tend to be, ‘Will I survive?’
“It’s important to let those thoughts come in and really be able to tolerate them before answering them. This is a very powerful coping skill.”
Dr. Strongin suggests medications to help with anxiety and depression if other approaches are not as effective. She also urges cancer warriors to explore telemedicine.
Debating Over Treatment of Colorectal Cancer
A few years back, research suggested that some colorectal cancer patients may be able to choose several years of close follow-up rather than surgery after successfully undergoing radiochemotherapy, while some doctors question whether close observation is really enough.
Dr. Heather Yeo, a colorectal surgeon at Weill Cornell Medicine and SurvivorNet medical advisor, warns, “A small percent [of colorectal cancer patients] present with incurable disease – these patients may have been cured after surgery or surgery and chemotherapy and are now incurable.”
Findings, published in The Lancet Oncology in 2021, suggest that up to 70% of rectal cancer patients might be able to avoid colostomies and other major surgeries by undergoing a multi-year period of intense observation.
RELATED: The Debate and Evidence About Watch and Wait
The period of observation, known as the “watch and wait” protocol, would regularly check these patients, who have already successfully undergone radiochemotherapy, for any potential sign of cancerous regrowth.
Additionally, the research claims that this monitoring period might be as short as one to three years, saying that, after a single year with no regrowth, the risk of rectal cancer recurring or spreading drops dramatically.
“Our results suggest that achieving a complete clinical recovery and sustaining it for one year is the most relevant protective factor in patients with rectal cancer, placing them in an excellent prognostic stage,” concluded Dr. Laura Fernandez, the study’s lead author.
Deciding When to Operate on Colon Cancer
Ultimately, the “watch and wait” protocol is a treatment option that those fighting colorectal cancer should discuss with their medical team. Colorectal oncologists like Dr. Yeo can help patients weigh the benefits and risks of this approach and craft the best treatment plan for them.
“This is an important conversation to have with patients. We shouldn’t give false hope, as 30% of patients do not respond to these treatments and may not have salvage as an option,” Dr. Yeo tells SurvivorNet.
“Those that do are taking a risk of losing an opportunity for cure (a low risk, but one that still should be discussed).”
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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