“Walking Dead” star Erik Jensen, 54, year-long stage 4 colorectal cancer journey comes to an end after the actor revealed latest tests found no evidence of the cancer.
Turning to art—such as music, painting, or dancing—may prove therapeutic for cancer patients, aiding their recovery. Research involving cancer patients who used art to cope showed they may experience decreased depression, anxiety, drowsiness, and tiredness.
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.
Undergoing a colonoscopy allows doctors to remove these polyps before they pose a serious cancer risk. Experts recommend colon cancer screenings to begin at 45 years old. However, people with a family history of cancer may consider screening sooner.
“Walking Dead” star Erik Jensen, 54, is turning to The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and The Silks, who all helped him reach a monumental milestone in his cancer journey. The actor says he’s now cancer-free a year after he was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. Throughout the ups and downs of treatment, he turned to his favorite bands and albums to help lift his spirits while undergoing cancer treatment.
“It’s been almost a year since I got diagnosed, and guess what happened today? They burned the last of the cancer out of my liver, and I’m so happy!” Jensen said in an Instagram post.
“For today at least, I’m cancer-free,” he added.
Jensen is perhaps best known for playing Dr. Steven Edwards on the popular AMC television drama. Last year, he revealed he had been diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, which by that time had spread to his liver.
Stage 4 cancer means the cancer has spread to other organs, such as the liver, lungs, or peritoneal cavity (the space in your abdomen that holds your intestines, stomach, and liver).
WATCH: Colon Cancer Screening is Extremely Important
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. Fortunately, most colorectal cancers can be prevented if you are regularly screened.
SurvivorNet experts recommend a colonoscopy for colon screening. Remember, if you’re at average risk, meaning you don’t have risk factors like a family history of the disease or are a smoker, you should begin colonoscopies at age 45.
Jensen knows even though his doctors found no evidence of disease right now, recurrence (cancer returning) is always a possibility as he enters survivorship.
“That doesn’t mean there’s not going to be a recurrence or anything like that, but they’ll catch that in time and burn that away if they need to,” Jensen explained.
Many cancer patients wrestling with their emotions or adjusting to cancer treatment undergo immense stress. During times like these, resorting to therapy such as music, dancing, painting, and other art forms can be extremely helpful.
In 2020, researchers studied the outcomes of therapeutic artmaking in patients undergoing radiation oncology treatment. Although the research was limited in scope, it found patients reported “decreased depression, anxiety, drowsiness, and tiredness” after mindfulness-based art therapy intervention.
Dr. Dana Chase, a gynecologic oncologist at UCLA Health, told SurvivorNet that emotional health and good quality of life are associated with better survival and outcomes. Art therapy can influence a cancer patient’s overall emotional health.
Jensen’s Cancer Diagnosis
When Jensen learned of his diagnosis, it was a stunning blow to his family. They faced financial hardship covering treatment costs in the months following his diagnosis; however, his cancer journey helped bring them closer together as the actor battled the disease.
Jensen underwent chemotherapy for nearly a year to combat the cancer.
Photo: YouTube Screenshot of “Walking Dead” scene featuring Erik Jensen.
“Just because someone has metastatic disease does not always mean we can’t cure the patient,” colorectal surgeon and surgical oncologist Dr. Heather Yeo tells SurvivorNet.
“When they have high-volume metastatic disease, meaning when it’s in many spots, we usually can’t talk about cutting out those pieces. But, we often put patients on different chemotherapies,” Dr. Yeo added.
As noted, Jensen understands there is a chance that his metastatic colon cancer may return in the future. SurvivorNet experts say a subset of patients who had their colon cancer removed will experience recurrence. If this occurs, he will need to restart treatment.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
If you are facing a colon cancer diagnosis, here are some questions you may ask your doctor.
What are my treatment options based on my diagnosis?
If I’m worried about managing the costs of cancer care, who can help me?
What support services are available to me? To my family?
Could this treatment affect my sex life? If so, how and for how long?
What are the risks and possible side effects of treatment?
