Forty-seven-year-old actor and father of six James Van Der Beek announced to the world Sunday that he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Though the "Dawson's Creek" alum has not shared specific details of his diagnosis or his treatment, his announcement quickly put a spotlight on the rising rates of colorectal cancer among young people.

James Van Der Beek recently announced that he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer — but what does the disease entail? “Colorectal cancer is a cancer that arises in your colon or your rectum,” gastroenterologist Roshini Raj exclusively told Us Weekly ...