Think You’re Too Young for Colon Cancer? Silver Cross Gastroenterologist Says Think Again

Colonoscopy is considered the gold standard for detecting colon cancer.

New Lenox, IL (March 17, 2026) – March is National Colon Cancer Awareness Month. But maybe you got an early reminder with the passing last month of actor James Van Der Beek.

Van Der Beek, known for his role in “Dawson’s Creek,” died at 48 in February from colon cancer.

He had been diagnosed in 2024 after brushing off a seemingly innocuous sign. He began to have difficulty digesting his morning coffee. Seen as a model of health, the cancer had spread to other parts of his body by the time it was discovered.

Then, there was his age. While many people – men and women – might believe colon cancer is an “old person’s disease,” doctors have begun recommending diagnostic colonoscopies at 45, earlier if noticeable symptoms appear or if there is a family history.

“I had one patient with colon cancer who was in his 20s,” said Dr. Kamran Ayub, interventional gastroenterologist and Medical Director of Advanced Endoscopy at Silver Cross Hospital  in New Lenox.

“We don’t know for sure why that is, it could be an increase in unhealthy lifestyles, including eating more highly processed foods and red meat, cigarette smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.”

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States; it’s the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths.

Doctors know nearly 53,000 people in the U.S. die each year from colorectal cancer. Research shows that colonoscopies – the gold standard of detecting colon cancer – can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by 69 percent and colon cancer deaths by 88 percent.

Dr. Ayub said that they have been performing 5,000 to 6,000 colonoscopies a year.

“But now, with two more rooms in our outpatient endoscopy center, we’re performing 7,000 to 8,000 procedures a year. Many of those are screening procedures, where we go in and look for polyps that may be pre-cancerous.

“And Silver Cross is one of the first hospitals in the Midwest to utilize artificial intelligence to identify subtle and small pre-cancerous polyps. This increases the sensitivity of colonoscopy procedure.

Since stool-based tests can have false positives and negatives, he added, “It’s best to just get the colonoscopy if possible.”

Studies show one in two people who should have colonoscopies don’t. While people may be put off by the inconvenience of bowel cleansing the day before the colonoscopy, they should know the procedure itself is pain-free and takes only an hour or so, during which they’re under anesthesia.

Also, if you’re 45 or older and haven’t had a colonoscopy yet, here are five important reasons why you should:

• Prevention. A colonoscopy is a key preventive tool that can help detect colorectal cancer early when it’s most treatable and beatable.
• Polyp Detection and Removal. While a colonoscopy screening is diagnostic in nature, it also allows the doctor to remove polyps, which are precursors to cancer. By removing polyps during a colonoscopy, you can help prevent cancer from developing.
• Age and Family History Considerations. If you’re over 45 or have a family history of colorectal cancer, scheduling a colonoscopy is essential for early detection. The risk of colorectal cancer increases with age and family history.
• Diagnosis of Gastrointestinal Issues. If you’re experiencing symptoms such as abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, or rectal bleeding, a colonoscopy can also diagnose conditions like inflammatory bowel disease or other gastrointestinal disorders – in addition to cancer.
• Peace of Mind. Knowing the state of your colon health can provide reassurance. Regular screenings help you stay informed about your health and can help alleviate concerns about potential issues.

While Dr. Ayub is seeing more cases of colorectal cancer in younger people, he said more younger people still aren’t showing up for screening.

“Especially men. I hope National Colorectal Cancer Month will bring awareness to younger people to get checked out. It could save their lives.”

To learn more about how to schedule an appointment for a colonoscopy, visit silvercross.org

About Silver Cross Hospital 

Silver Cross Hospital is an independent, not-for-profit healthcare provider serving Will County and southwest suburban communities since 1895. Silver Cross is nationally recognized for safety, quality and experience by a number of prestigious ratings organizations. We’ve been named a 100 Top Hospitals National Award winner 11 times, honored with an “A” Hospital Safety Grade by The Leapfrog Group 22 times, and rated 4 Stars by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In addition, Silver Cross has been named a Newsweek World’s Best Hospital for 7 years running, and Healthgrades ranked Silver Cross #1 in Illinois in 2024 and 2025. In 2025, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons rated our open-heart surgery program a 3-star program, the highest rating available, placing Silver Cross among the most elite heart surgery programs in the United States and Canada.

With over 4,500 employees, physicians and volunteers, Silver Cross operates a 348-bed acute care hospital and more than a dozen satellite facilities providing outpatient services and physician offices. Silver Cross opened a state-of-the-art replacement hospital in 2012 at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox. In Fiscal Year 2024, Silver Cross provided over $57 million in charity care and other community benefits. Physicians on Silver Cross Hospital’s Medical Staff have expertise in their areas of practice to meet the needs of patients seeking their care. These physicians are independent practitioners on the Medical Staff and are not the agents or employees of Silver Cross Hospital. They treat patients based upon their independent medical judgment and they bill patients separately for their services. To learn more about Silver Cross Hospital, visit silvercross.org.