It's Time for Your Colonoscopy

James Van Der Beek died at 48. What his story and my own screening taught me about early detection.

💔 Before he died, James Van Der Beek became a tireless advocate for colon cancer awareness. Photo by Claiborne Swanson Frank.

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James Van Der Beek died last Wednesday.

If that headline gutted you, you probably came of age watching him on Dawson’s Creek like I did. Which also means something else:

You’re old enough to schedule your first colonoscopy.

Van Der Beek was only 48. A successful actor. A father of six young kids. After his death, a GoFundMe was launched by his friends to help offset the financial wreckage left behind by years of cancer treatment. As if the family’s grief wasn’t heavy enough.

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Cancer can bankrupt a family in America. I’m committed to helping people understand how to maximize their health insurance benefits and potentially save thousands to get the best care.

In honor of JVDB, I’m offering my Wellness Audit and Health Spending Decoder Guide at 50% off for the next 48 hours so more people can benefit from this information.

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This wasn’t the post I had planned to publish today on Lunar New Year. My colonoscopy story has been sitting in my drafts folder for two years because, let’s be real, it’s not the sexiest topic.

But it’s one that’s critically important.

For those under 50, colon cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in men and the second in women.

Cases in younger adults have been sharply rising for two decades. Sadly many young patients who are diagnosed (like Van Der Beek) already have stage III or IV. In 2021, the American Cancer Society lowered the recommended screening age from 50 to 45 in response.

This post is intended to give you:

1. A reminder to get screened = why it’s your best defense

2. A concise overview = how to lower your risk of colon cancer

3. My colonoscopy story = my pro tips to make the prep more pleasant

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🎁 My paid subscribers ($5/month) get free access to my downloadable Colonoscopy Optimization Guide including my 5-day protocol, approved meals, prep day timeline and gut recovery plan at the end of this post.

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What you should know

Colon cancer is a growth of cells in the first and longest part of your large intestine, called the colon.

• Colonoscopies are covered by insurance as a preventative screening once you reach 45 years old

• They are done every 10 years, unless they find a polyp or you are at higher risk which indicates more frequent screenings (5 years)

• You can get an earlier or additional screening, if you have:

  • a family history of colon cancer (first and second degree relatives)

  • a genetic mutation inherited from one of your parents

  • symptoms¹ such as:

    • bleeding or blood in the stool

    • a change in bowel patterns

    • discomfort such as cramps, gas or pain

    • anemia

    • unexplained weight loss

    • fatigue

• If they find a polyp during a colonoscopy, they will remove it to prevent it from turning into cancer, which is why these screenings are so important

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How to reduce your risk

• Limit alcohol consumption

• Don’t smoke, vape or use any other form of tobacco

• Make whole foods and plants most of your diet (vegetables, fruit, whole grains and beans = more fiber)

• Avoid processed meat (bacon, deli meat) and limit red meat

• Move your body consistently (low and high intensity, strength training & cardio)

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My Colonoscopy Tips

Not medical advice. Run everything by your physician.

If you’re a health optimizer like me, you’ll probably want to upgrade the hospital’s colonoscopy prep. It’s designed for a clear colon — not stable blood sugar or a pleasant experience.

You don’t have to suffer through neon sports drinks and Jell-O to get the job done. Personally I think keeping your glucose in check helps you steady your energy, curb your hunger and improve your mood, especially when you are fasting.

Here’s what I did to optimize my colonoscopy prep with my doctor’s approval.

Pro-tip #1: Choose the PEG-Based Prep

I opted for a PEG (polyethylene glycol) bowel prep kit — the Miralax + Dulcolax combo.

• Uses over-the-counter laxatives

• Requires high fluid intake

• Often gentler on the intestinal lining than saline-based formulas

Ask your doctor what options are available and appropriate for you.

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Pro-tip #2: Book an Afternoon Appointment

This was the game changer.

Split dosing means one round the afternoon before and one the morning of your procedure. Instead of repeatedly sprinting to the bathroom during the night, I actually slept for 8 full hours.

Your body is already under stress. Rest matters.

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Pro-tip #3: Eat blood sugar balancing food

Three days before prep started, I shifted to low-fiber, easy-to-digest meals like:

• Scrambled eggs

• Cooked fish, shredded chicken

• White rice, mashed potatoes

• Pureed soups

• Bananas

• Bone broth

Lean protein, gentle carbs and healthy fats kept me full without leaving residue behind. By Day 3, I simplified even more and slightly reduced portions.

A warm salmon bowl is fine for low residue lead up | My choice of colon clearing prep

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Pro-tip #4: Upgrade the Prep Drink

The day before your procedure, you do a clear, liquid only diet including the drink with your medication. Standard instructions often suggest mixing Miralax with Gatorade. With my doctor’s approval, I made my own electrolyte mix (clear, no red or purple dyes):

• Filtered water

• Coconut water

• Lemon juice

• A little maple syrup

• Electrolyte powder like Ancient+Brave

• Miralax as directed

You can use a straw but I didn’t. Room temperature worked best for me. When you’re fasting, icy drinks can make you feel miserable so I focused on warm clear teas.

Hydration is non-negotiable. The blood sugar rollercoaster is optional.

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Pro-tip #5: Protect Your Skin

You will be living in the bathroom for hours. Not joking.

Baby wipes (unscented) are more gentle and soothing to your delicate skin.

I may have given the pre-op team an unsolicited TED Talk on blood sugar. They were happy to sedate me. Procedure was fast. The drugs were solid. Most importantly, they removed a benign polyp and everything else was normal.

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Pro-tip #6: Bring Your Own Recovery Snacks

After the procedure, they offered me apple juice and graham crackers.

I brought a banana and warm bone broth in a thermos instead. I wasn’t starving but having real food waiting was a better option for me.

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Early stage colon cancer has a roughly 90% five-year survival rate. Please forward this to someone you love who needs a reminder to schedule their colonoscopy. Hopefully I’ve given you all the ways to make it more bearable.

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🎁 For My Health Optimizers

If you want my exact system, my paid subscribers ($5/month) get the full downloadable Colonoscopy Optimization Guide below and access to all past guides.

Inside you’ll find:

• My 5-Day Protocol
• Chenessa-approved low-residue meal ideas
• My blood sugar stabilization strategy
• The modified prep drink recipe I used
• My exact prep timeline to optimize sleep & hydration, hour by hour
• Pro tips they don’t hand you at the hospital
• A 72-hour gut rebuild plan (what to eat, drink, and which probiotics I recommend)