‘Walking Dead’ Star Erik Jensen, 53, Doing Regains Weight After Colon Cancer, Credits Music From Bob Dylan, Bob Marley & David Bowie for Helping Him Through Treatment

Music Helps With Healing

• “Walking Dead” star Erik Jensen, 53, was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer last year. After his diagnosis, he started chemotherapy treatment, which had a positive effect on his tumors.
• Colorectal cancer happens when polyps are not removed and become cancerous. It can take up to 10 years for a colon polyp to become cancerous, according to SurvivorNet experts.
• Undergoing a colonoscopy allows doctors to remove these polyps before they pose a serious cancer risk.
• The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends guidelines that state colon cancer screenings should begin at 45 years old. This is in response to the increase we see in colon cancer diagnoses in younger adults.
• Turning to art—such as music, painting, or dancing—may prove therapeutic for cancer patients, aiding their recovery. Research involving cancer patients who used art to cope showed they may experience decreased depression, anxiety, drowsiness, and tiredness.

“Walking Dead” star Erik Jensen, 53, finds solace in the power of music and has seen great improvement amid his stage 4 colorectal cancer journey. He notes his prognosis is “even better” and that he’s “gained all the weight back.” His family, a constant source of support, and good music were instrumental in his journey. “I’m in the long stretch of finishing up this cancer stuff,” Jensen said on Instagram. “I have some records that are keeping me going,” Jensen continued while showing off vinyl records of Bob Dylan, Velvet Underground, and fellow cancer warrior David Bowie , who waged an 18-month-long battle with liver cancer . Jensen also gave praise to reggae singer Bob Marley , who died at a young age from skin cancer. Jensen adds that he is doing so much better, in fact, that he’s booked himself into a new play. “I start rehearsing around August 20,” the resilient actor said. Supportive fans showered Jensen with words of encouragement. “I’m filled with tears of joy to see you better, and congratulations on booking that play,” Instagram user Luna Love commented.

Expert Resources for Colon Cancer Screening

• Colon Cancer Screening Options And Genetics: Myth Busting With Dr. Heather Yeo
• Colon Cancer Screening is Extremely Important; Guidelines Now Say to Start at Age 45 if There Is No Family History
• Everything You Need to Know About Colorectal Cancer Screenings
• Colorectal Cancer Screening: a New Study Questions the Effectiveness of Colonoscopies But Specialists Reinforce its Importance

Using Music and Art to Help Your Journey

Many cancer patients wrestling with their emotions or adjusting to cancer treatment undergo immense stress. During times like these, resorting to therapy such as music, dancing, painting, and other art forms can be extremely helpful. In 2020, researchers studied the outcomes of therapeutic artmaking in patients undergoing radiation oncology treatment. Although the research was limited in scope, it found patients reported "decreased depression, anxiety, drowsiness, and tiredness" after mindfulness-based art therapy intervention. Dr. Dana Chase , a gynecologic oncologist at UCLA Health, told SurvivorNet that emotional health and good quality of life are associated with better survival and outcomes. Art therapy can influence a cancer patient’s overall emotional health. We previously sat down to chat with two-time cancer survivor Bianca Muniz , who found solace in creating music while she was undergoing cancer treatment. Her cancer journey began at just 11 years old when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Then, at 22 years old, she was diagnosed again, this time with breast cancer. Muniz says that undergoing numerous different treatments did have an impact on her voice, but she never let that get in the way of her love of performing, and cancer actually served as a muse for creating new music. WATCH: Two-time cancer survivor used music therapy to help her along her journey. “This experience has had two different effects on my creativity and my music, so I’ve gotten a lot of inspiration from it,’ Muniz said. "But also the side effects of treatment, of chemo –and surgery — have definitely had a little bit of a negative effect on my voice, but then again, I love performing. I always feel happy after I’ve performed.”

Jensen’s Cancer Diagnosis

Jensen is a playwright, screenwriter, and director. His wife Jessica works as a full-freelance artist like her husband. The couple has a 13-year-old daughter. The news of Erik’s stage 4 colorectal cancer was a stunning blow to the family; however, they rallied together to tackle the disease. Jensen’s colorectal cancer has spread to his liver. Stage 4 cancers have spread to other organs, such as the liver, lungs, or peritoneal cavity (the space in your abdomen that holds your intestines, stomach, and liver). Colorectal cancer happens when polyps are not removed and become cancerous. It can take up to 10 years for a colon polyp to become cancerous, according to SurvivorNet experts.

“We know that colon cancers can be prevented when polyps are found early,” Dr. Yeo told SurvivorNet. “Lowering the screening age helps somewhat with this, but access to care is a real problem,” Yeo added. Dr. Zuri Murrell , a colorectal cancer surgeon and Director of the Cedars-Sinai Colorectal Cancer Center, previously explained the colonoscopy procedure to SurvivorNet. “When we see a polyp, we actually physically take the polyp out through the colonoscope,” he explained . “What does that mean? That means we basically put a wire through with a little bit of a flange at the end, and we pull the polyp out. Now, note there is no pain with that. Inside the colon, there are no pain fibers. So, there’s no pain,” Dr. Murrell added. The advantage of a colonoscopy is that your doctor can remove any polyps found during the test. Many colon cancers can be caught on colonoscopy before they develop or when the polyps are small enough to be removed without surgery. WATCH: The effectiveness of colonoscopies The American Gastrointestinal Association lowered the recommended initial age for a colorectal screening from 50 to 45. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends guidelines that state colon cancer screenings should begin at 45 years old. This is in response to the increase we see in colon cancer diagnoses in younger adults. However, many insurance companies still do not cover the cost of screenings for those under 50. In the past, the disease had predominantly been found in adults 50 years or older, but for those predisposed to getting it at a younger age, these new guidelines could help catch it earlier.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

If you are facing a colon cancer diagnosis, here are some questions you may ask your doctor.

• What are my treatment options based on my diagnosis?
• If I’m worried about managing the costs of cancer care, who can help me?
• What support services are available to me? To my family?
• Could this treatment affect my sex life? If so, how and for how long?
• What are the risks and possible side effects of treatment?