James Van Der Beek, widely recognized for his role in "Dawson's Creek," revealed in an emotional statement that he has been battling stage 3 colorectal cancer. Speaking candidly with People magazine, the 47-year-old actor opened up about his diagnosis, treatment journey, and commitment to raising awareness about a disease that is becoming increasingly prevalent among adults under 55. "That's one of the reasons I want to talk about it and the reason I'm talking about it so openly," Van Der Beek said.
The actor, who resides with his wife, Kimberly, and their six children on a ranch in Texas, emphasized the importance of using his experience to inform and support others. "I've been dealing with this pretty much in secret for a while," he shared. "I've found it helpful and cathartic to share things publicly. And I've found a lot of support that way. But more than that, I really wanted to raise awareness." According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer diagnoses among people under 55 have risen significantly over the last few decades.
Van Der Beek admitted that his diagnosis came as a shock. He had no family history of cancer and maintained a healthy lifestyle. "I'd always associated cancer with age and with unhealthy, sedentary lifestyles. But I was in amazing cardiovascular shape," he explained. His symptoms initially appeared as changes in his bowel movements, which he attributed to dietary issues. "I thought maybe I needed to stop coffee. But when that didn't help, I knew I had to get it checked out."
After undergoing a colonoscopy, Van Der Beek was stunned by the results. "The gastroenterologist said - in his most pleasant bedside manner - that it was cancer. I think I went into shock," he recalled. His treatment regimen, which includes surgery and chemotherapy, has been demanding. While he declined to elaborate on the specifics, he acknowledged that he has explored a range of therapies. "If you've heard about it, I've probably touched on it," he said.
The journey has been both physically and emotionally challenging. "This has been a crash course in the mastery of mind, body, and spirit," Van Der Beek reflected. "I thought, 'This is either going to take me out of the body, or it's going to teach me how to truly live in it.'" Despite moments of doubt and fear, he tries to stay positive, though the uncertainty of cancer remains difficult. "The trickiest thing is there are so many unknowns," he said. "You think, 'How do I fix this? Is this healing me? Is this hurting me? Is this working? Is it coming back?'"
Van Der Beek's decision to go public with his diagnosis was accelerated by a tabloid report that threatened to disclose his condition before he had the chance to inform his loved ones. "There's no playbook for how to announce these things," he said. "I planned on talking about it at length with People to raise awareness and tell my story on my own terms. But that plan had to be altered early this morning."
The actor, known for his resilience, remains focused on his health while continuing to work. He will appear in an upcoming special on Fox's "The Real Full Monty," which raises awareness for prostate, testicular, and colorectal cancer. He also recently completed projects for The CW's Walker and the Tubi film Sidelined: The QB and Me, demonstrating his determination to keep moving forward.
Reflecting on his current state, Van Der Beek said he is "cautiously optimistic." He credits his family for their unwavering support. "I have a lot to live for," he said, expressing gratitude for his wife and children, who have been by his side through the journey. While he has yet to declare himself in remission, he noted, "I'm in a place of healing, my energy levels are great. When I've been out of the woods completely for what feels like a responsible amount of time, I'll circle back and let you know."
