Sickened at the age of 47

After ski star’s death: Bowel cancer also affects young people!

"Dawson's Creek" star James van der Beek (47) is suffering from bowel cancer.(Bild: Krone KREATIV/peterschreiber.media – stock.adobe.com, Getty Images via AFP/GETTY IMAGES/Emma McIntyre)

James van der Beek (47), known from the series "Dawson's Creek", has been diagnosed with bowel cancer. This type of tumor is one of the three most common forms of cancer - in both men and women. Experts explain how bowel cancer develops, what the chances of a cure are and why regular screening can save lives.

Most patients are over 60 when they are diagnosed, but oncologists are registering an increase in bowel cancer cases in people under 50.