The common thread behind two major Hollywood deaths—and the important clinical conversations it may trigger
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Cancer is a systemic disease. We have to pay attention to not only future sites of metastasis, but other organs that may be affected independent of metastasis by systemic complications such as thrombosis, leading to morbidity and mortality.
—David Lyden, MD, PhD
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed that actress Catherine O’Hara died of a pulmonary embolism, with rectal cancer listed as the underlying cause. The death certificate, released February 9, clarifies that she had been under care for rectal cancer since at least March 2025. [][]
Related: Catherine O’Hara’s rare diagnosis and the clinical lessons it raisesDays later, news also broke that actor James Van Der Beek, best for his roles in Dawson's Creek and Varsity Blues, had passed away at age 48 following a diagnosis of stage 3 colorectal cancer, identified after a routine colonoscopy in August 2023. []
Together, these cases place colorectal cancer firmly in the public spotlight. It's a disease that claims more than 50,000 lives annually in the United States. []
The common thread
O'Hara and Van Der Beek's passing is a stark reminder that rates of colorectal cancer have only been trending upward, particularly in the last few years. And despite advances in screening and treatment, outcomes still hinge heavily on early detection.
As public figures, their stories may prompt more patients to ask about screening colonoscopies, stool-based testing, and family history—conversations that clinicians know can make the difference between a curable lesion and a late-stage malignancy.
What this means for the clinic
For many physicians, celebrity diagnoses and deaths translate into a noticeable shift in patient behavior. Research has shown that high-profile cancer disclosures can increase public awareness, media coverage, online searches, and information seeking.[] Within days of widely covered cancer news, clinicians often see an uptick in portal messages and appointments: “Should I get screened?” “I’m 45—am I due?” “My dad had polyps; does that change anything?”
These moments create a rare window of receptivity. The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends colorectal cancer screening beginning at age 45 for average-risk adults, yet adherence remains inconsistent across the US.[][]
In the exam room, stories like O’Hara’s and Van Der Beek’s can transform abstract statistics into something personal and urgent. Here’s a quick, clinic-ready guide to anchor the conversation:[][][]
Start With Risk Stratification:
Escalate evaluation if the patient has:
A first-degree relative with colorectal cancer
A personal history of inflammatory bowel disease
Red-flag symptoms: rectal bleeding, unexplained iron-deficiency anemia, change in bowel habits
These patients warrant closer evaluation, not routine screening alone. If a patient has average risk and is asymptomatic, shift to shared decision-making around screening pathways.
Screening Touch Points to Keep Top of Mind:
Colonoscopy every 10 years remains a standard option for average-risk patients.
Annual FIT is noninvasive, but adherence is critical.
Stool DNA testing is guideline-supported at recommended intervals.
The most effective screening strategy? The one the patient will complete.
Your takeaway
Colorectal cancer incidence has been rising in adults younger than 50, prompting the shift to earlier screening recommendations.[] When patients dismiss rectal bleeding as hemorrhoids or attribute fatigue to stress, these stories can serve as a bridge to more thorough evaluation. Most colorectal cancers are highly treatable when detected at an early stage, with significantly better survival compared with advanced disease.[]
Ultimately, the news cycle may move on quickly. In the clinic, however, the impact of cases like these can linger in a variety of ways: A promptly scheduled colonoscopy, a completed FIT kit, or a timely referral to gastroenterology. For physicians, translating headlines into preventive action is where the real story unfolds, one patient at a time.
Related: UPFs and early onset colon cancer: Key findings from a major new study