Thursday’s Daily Dose: Cancer awareness, Valentine’s Day pressure, and kids’ dental health
Monica Robins looks at three health topics: Rising colorectal cancer rates among younger adults, managing Valentine’s Day expectations and protecting teeth.
CLEVELAND — James Van Der Beek, 48, died yesterday after battling stage 3 colorectal cancer. Catherine O’Hara, 71, passed away last month from an embolism with rectal cancer as an underlying cause. The Dawson’s Creek and Varsity Blues star was diagnosed in 2023 and spoke publicly about it a year later. His wife says the father of six met his final days with courage, faith and grace.
What makes Van Der Beek’s death particularly alarming is that he was in amazing cardiovascular shape. He did cold plunges. He ate healthy. He had no obvious symptoms except minor changes in bowel movements that he blamed on coffee.
“I had stage 3 cancer and had no idea,” he said just months before his death. “If anybody takes anything away from this, it would be get tested, talk to your doctor.”
The facts are terrifying. Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in men under 50. Cases in people under 55 have risen 1-2% every year since the mid-1990s. Up to 35% of cases in people under 50 are linked to genetic mutations. However, early detection dramatically improves survival rates.
Cleveland Clinic oncologist Dr. Dale Shepard emphasizes the importance of screening, especially for those with risk factors. He says the best screening method is whatever someone will actually do. While colonoscopy allows doctors to look inside, see potential cancers, and biopsy abnormalities on the spot, tests like Cologuard can be effective for getting people in the door to screening. If Cologuard detects a problem, patients can then proceed to a colonoscopy.
Screening now starts at 45 – not 50, not “when you have symptoms.” Van Der Beek wished he’d been screened right at 45. He believed it would have caught his cancer earlier.
Don’t wait for red flags. Don’t assume you’re too young, too healthy, or too fit. James Van Der Beek and Catherine O’Hara can’t urge you to get screened – but their legacies can. Schedule your colonoscopy and talk to your doctor. It could save your life.
Managing Valentine’s Day expectations in the social media age
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, many people feel pressure to make the holiday perfect – especially when comparing their celebrations to what they see on social media.
Dr. Kia-Rai Prewitt, a psychologist at Cleveland Clinic, says it’s common for people to compare themselves and think they’re missing out. But she reminds us that on social media, people only share the good things happening in their lives, not what goes on behind the scenes.
It’s important to remember that everyone celebrates Valentine’s Day differently. Some couples enjoy big displays of love, while others prefer something more private. Prewitt suggests talking to your partner about their love language – whether that’s acts of service, words of affirmation, physical touch, giving gifts, or quality time. Understanding this can help make the day more special.
And if the day doesn’t go as planned, that’s okay. It doesn’t mean your relationship is in trouble. Prewitt emphasizes that it’s important to show affection and appreciation throughout the entire year, not just on Valentine’s Day. That way, if one day doesn’t go perfectly, your partner knows it’s just one day out of 365.
She also notes that Valentine’s Day becomes easier to navigate as you get to know your partner better. Newer couples tend to put more pressure on the holiday.
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month
Experts say kids learn oral health habits from the adults around them, which means parents need to model good brushing – a full two minutes, twice a day.
Dr. Brian Martin, a pediatric dentist at Akron Children’s Hospital, says what’s really causing cavities in kids today isn’t just candy. Sugar and acidity in drinks are major culprits. Fewer kids are drinking water for hydration, but our bodies are really meant to run on water.
Dentists recommend power toothbrushes for kids because they’re more effective. Parents should pay attention to common trouble spots, particularly the back top teeth that kids often miss. Fluoride in toothpaste re-mineralizes teeth, but only works with daily brushing.
If you have concerns about fluoride, talk to your child’s dentist about the best options for your family.
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