The Unseen Warning Signs Celebrities Wish They Hadn't Ignored

Two high-profile figures diagnosed with bowel cancer shared a strikingly similar experience before learning they had the disease - both noticed persistent changes in their bowel habits but initially believed something less serious was to blame. Actor James Van Der Beek and broadcaster Dame Deborah James both said they never expected to receive a bowel cancer diagnosis, particularly because they considered themselves healthy and had no obvious reason to think they were at risk. Celebrities reveal similar symptoms James Van Der Beek. Credit: Andrew Toth / Getty Van Der Beek revealed in November that he had been diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer at the age of 46, before sadly passing away earlier this year. Speaking to People, the Dawson's Creek star said he decided to speak publicly about his diagnosis to encourage others to pay attention to potential warning signs. "That's one of the reasons I want to talk about it and the reason I'm talking about it so openly," he said. "I really wanted to raise awareness." The actor explained that, despite exercising regularly and eating well, he began noticing changes in his bowel movements during the summer of 2023. At first, he assumed his diet was responsible. "I thought maybe I needed to stop coffee," he recalled. "Or maybe not put cream in the coffee." When those changes made no difference, he decided to seek medical advice. "All right, I better get this checked out." Following a colonoscopy, Van Der Beek said he expected reassurance rather than bad news. "I felt really good coming out of anesthesia," he said. "Then the gastroenterologist said... that it was cancer. I think I went into shock." His experience echoes that of the late Dame Deborah James, who spent years campaigning to raise awareness of bowel cancer after being diagnosed with stage 3 disease at just 35 years old. Despite being a vegetarian, maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking, Deborah said she experienced symptoms for years before her cancer was discovered. Writing about her diagnosis, she explained that she noticed a persistent change in her bowel habits and was repeatedly told she was likely suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Even after blood tests and stool samples came back normal, she knew something wasn't right. "And yet I was still losing weight, passing blood, going what felt like 100 times per day and feeling shattered," she wrote. "I knew there was something wrong with me." It was only after paying privately for a colonoscopy that doctors found what she described as an "ugly 5.5cm cancerous, ulcerated tumour." The symptoms of bowel cancer Colorectal cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in those under 50 in the US. Credit: Getty Stock Images Both stories highlight one of the most common symptoms of bowel cancer: a persistent change in bowel habits. Other warning signs can include blood in your stool, unexplained weight loss, extreme tiredness, stomach pain or a lump in the abdomen. While these symptoms are often caused by less serious conditions such as IBS, piles or constipation, health experts say they should never be ignored if they persist or if something simply doesn't feel right. According to the NHS, anyone experiencing ongoing changes in their bowel habits, rectal bleeding or other concerning symptoms should speak to their GP as soon as possible. Early diagnosis significantly improves the chances of successful treatment. Featured Image. Credit: Getty Stock Images