Finding Strength In Loved Ones
- As James Van Der Beek, known acting as Dawson Leery on The WB’s ‘Dawson’s Creek,’ is battling stage 3 colorectal cancer, the loving dad of six has taken the time to celebrate his own father’s birthday, while also praising him for his “life-saving” and “life-altering” support through his cancer journey.
- Colon cancers start out as a polyp, or small growth, in the colon that causes no symptoms. Although polyps can’t be felt, they can be picked up by screening tests before they cause a problem. It takes up to 10 years for a colon polyp to become a full-blown cancer, which gives doctors time to remove the polyp before it causes a problem.
- The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends state colon cancer screenings should begin at 45-years-old. This is in response to a rise in colon cancer diagnoses in younger adults. In the past, the disease had predominantly been found in adults 50-years or older, but for those predisposed to get it at a younger age, these new guidelines could potentially help catch it at an earlier stage.
- Cancer warriors need to know they have a strong support group, which can be made up of family members young and old.
- Cancer patients with children can have increased motivation to endure difficult treatment, but experts suggest having an effective communication plan about the situation will help ease the emotional impact of the illness on them.
Van Der Beek, known for his legendary role as Dawson Leery on The WB’s “Dawson’s Creek,” took to Instagram to commemorate his dad’s birthday with some sweet memories and an incredibly heartfelt caption, shortly after sharing a celebratory birthday post for his 11-year-old daughter.
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The 47-year-old loving dad of six, all whom he shares with his 42-year-old wife, film producer Kimberly Van Der Beek, continued, “But it’s even more than that. I’m blown away by how you’ve been there for me emotionally as I’ve moved through everything cancer brings up…
“I know it’s outside your comfort zone, but especially since Mom died, you have come through for me again and again and again in ways that I didn’t even know how much I needed.”
He concluded, “Watching you evolve, seeing what kind of man and father you are… gives me more confidence in myself than I could ever express. I feel so proud and lucky to have come from you.
“Thank you for being the best. Ever. Period. And I will keep my promise that we won’t ever ask you to change Jeremiah’s diapers. I love you, Dad.”
Van Der Beek, who is a dad to 14-year-old Olivia, 12-year-old Joshua, 11-year-old Annabel, eight-year-old Emilia, six-year-old Gwen, and three-year-old Jeremiah, also saw his wife Kimberly comment on his post, “Extraordinary human he is. One of a kind.”
That same day, Van Der Beek also took to Instagram to share some words his daughter Annabel’s birthday.
He wrote, “11 years old today. There are sweet souls… and then there’s you. The softest, most empathetic heart I know. It’s been a really tough year to be so sensitive, and so connected to me, who’s not been well in so many moments – which I know you know without my even having to be in the room.
“But as I emerge from this healing portal, I wish for you to experience the joy and laughter you so richly deserve to feel as deeply as the concern and worry.”
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Van Der Beek ended his post by saying, “From the moment you came out you’ve had the ability to bring joy and peace to those around you simple by existing. May you continue to trust that and always know that your dad sees you, and recognizes you, and loves everything about you. And always will.”
“Thank you for coming Earthside, kiddo. Life is a much more joyful endeavor with you around. Always in your corner… Dad.”
RELATED: Telling Your Kids You Have Cancer: “When it Comes to Your Kids, You Want to Protect Them”
This isn’t the first time Van Der Beek expressed his gratitude toward his family. He also took to social media on Thanksgiving, to share he was thankful for “the giant life re-direct cancer has placed in my path.”
He explained, “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.
“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.”
Not only did Van Der Beek share how grateful he was for his “super human wife” and “unconditional love,” he also insisted, “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 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 said.
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Before Van Der Beek’s interview was published, the beloved actor wrote the following alongside a November 3rd Instagram post, “‘It is cancer…’ Each year, approximately 2 billion people around the world receive this diagnosis. And I’m one of them. There’s no playbook for how announce these things, but I’d planned on talking about it at length with People magazine at some point soon… to raise awareness and tell my story on my own terms. But that plan had to be altered early this morning when I was informed that a tabloid was going to run with the news.
“I’ve been dealing with this privately until now, getting treatment and dialing in my overall health with greater focus than ever before. I’m in a good place and feeling strong. It’s been quite the initiation, and I’ll tell you more when I’m ready.
Apologies to all the people in my life who I’d planned on telling myself. Nothing about this process has occurred on my preferred timeline… But we roll with it, taking each surprise as a signpost, pointing us toward a greater destiny than we would have discovered without divine intervention.
Please know that my family and I deeply appreciate all the love and support.
More to come…
12w
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,” Dr. Yeo added.
Expert Resources on Colorectal Cancer
- ‘You Shouldn’t Die From Embarrassment’: Colon Cancer Can Be Prevented
- Biomarkers in Colon Cancer: Understanding KRAS, BRAF, and HER2
- Can Sitting The Wrong Way While You Poop Increase Your Risk Of Bowel Or Colon Cancer? Assessing The Risks Of Sitting Vs Squatting
- Anxiety Around Colon Cancer Diagnosis
- 5 Possible Signs of Colon Cancer; Don’t Be Afraid to Look in the Toilet!
- A Coffee Enema Will Not Prevent Colon Cancer
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.
Looking for Polyps During Colonoscopy
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.
Understanding Treatment Options
Although, Van Der Beek has chosen to keep the details of his colon cancer journey and treatment process private, it’s important to understand that your doctor has many ways to treat colon cancer, depending on what stage the cancer is, including:
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Immunotherapy
Surgery
Surgery is the main treatment for most early-stage colon cancers, according to the doctors SurvivorNet spoke with. The surgeon will remove the part of the colon or rectum where there is cancer, along with a small area of healthy tissue around it. Taking out as much of the cancer as possible is important for improving your outcome.
The surgery may be performed through small incisions (laparoscopy), or through a larger incision. Some people may need to wear a special bag (ostomy) to collect wastes after surgery.
Deciding When to Operate on Colon Cancer
Radiation Therapy
This treatment aims high-energy x-rays at the cancer to destroy the abnormal cells. The radiation can come from a machine outside your body, or be placed directly inside your body. Sometimes people get radiation before surgery, to shrink the tumor and make it easier for the surgeon to remove. This is called neoadjuvant radiation.
Chemotherapy
This treatment uses strong medicine to stop cancer cells from dividing, no matter where they are in your body. You may get a combination of chemotherapy drugs as your first treatment. Chemotherapy has been very well studied for colorectal cancer, and it is known to improve survival.
The most common therapy is a combination of chemo drugs called FOLFOX:
- FOL = leucovorin calcium (folinic acid)
- F = fluorouracil
- OX = oxaliplatin
Your doctor may add medications like irinotecan (FOLFIRI) or cetuximab, depending on how well your tumor shrinks with treatment and other specifics about your particular cancer. For FOLFOX, the medications are given through the vein and require regular doctor visits.
To determine exactly which chemotherapy regimen you get, your doctor will consider your age and how well you might tolerate the side effects of chemotherapy. Gene mutations (for example, BRAF and KRAS) and the location of the primary colon tumor also factor into the decision.
You can also get chemotherapy before colon cancer surgery, which is called neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Getting chemo first helps to shrink the tumor, which can make both the surgery and recovery easier, according to SurvivorNet’s experts. Chemo is also a treatment for cancer that returns after therapy.
Targeted Therapy
This treatment targets substances like proteins or genes that the cancer needs to grow. This makes targeted therapy more precise than chemotherapy, and less likely to damage healthy cells. One example of targeted therapy is bevacizumab (Avastin), which stops the growth of new blood vessels that feed tumors. Another group of targeted therapies are called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors, which block the cancer from growing.
Immunotherapy
This treatment makes your own immune system a more efficient cancer fighter. A group of drugs called checkpoint inhibitors, which includes pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and nivolumab (Opdivo), work by preventing cancer cells from hiding from your immune system. Checkpoint inhibitors may extend the amount of time before the cancer spreads.
Dr. Paul Oberstein, on which treatments doctors use to turn stage 4 colon cancer into a chronic but manageable disease
Coping With a Diagnosis & The Power of Support
Coping with a diagnosis involves a range of emotions from anger to sadness and everything in between.
Sarah Stapleton, a licensed clinical social worker, encourages cancer warriors and their families to be “patient with your emotions.”
It’s also important that you understand how you communicate with your providers, but also with your loved ones,” Stapleton said. “We can’t always assume that people know what we need at a given time, and there are going to be times when you don’t want to speak about your diagnosis and you don’t want to speak about cancer.
Psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik previously explained to SurvivorNet some tips for cancer warriors and their caregivers for managing emotions after a diagnosis. She emphasized getting extra support from loved ones.
“Some people don’t need to go outside of their family and friend circle. They feel like they have enough support there,” Dr. Plutchik said. “But for people who feel like they need a little bit more, it is important to reach out to a mental health professional.”
“Patients who have just been diagnosed with cancer sometimes wonder how they are going to handle the diagnosis of the cancer in social situations,” Dr. Plutchik added. “How much information they should share and with whom they should share the information, everybody is different.”
Ultimately it comes down to what feels right. Loved ones supporting a cancer warrior are encouraged to respect the wishes of the cancer patient when it comes to disclosing their diagnosis.
WATCH: Seeking support after a diagnosis.
Sometimes young family members such as children can be incredible motivators for cancer warriors to keep fighting especially when times get tough. Facing cancer as a parent can be daunting. Fearful thoughts about leaving your children may creep into your mind and add even more to your overflowing plate.
“Cancer patients with children can have increased motivation to endure difficult treatment but may also be concerned about the emotional impact of the illness on their offspring,” Dr. Cindy Moore of Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center previously explained to The ASCO Post, an oncology newspaper.
During the difficult moments of explaining cancer to younger children, Dr. Moore recommends cancer patients should discuss some of their biggest concerns with their healthcare teams. With the help of your healthcare team, you can come up with an effective communication plan to explain your diagnosis to your kids at an age-appropriate level.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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