In a surprising revelation, actor James Van Der Beek recently shared his battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer at the age of 46. The former "Dawson's Creek" star is now speaking out about his health journey to raise awareness about the increasing prevalence of this disease among younger adults.
Van Der Beek, now 47, told PEOPLE magazine that he had been dealing with his diagnosis privately for some time. "I've been dealing with this pretty much in secret for a while, and in the past, I've found it helpful and cathartic to share things publicly," he explained. The actor, who resides on a Texas ranch with his wife Kimberly and their six children, hopes that by opening up about his experience, he can help others.
The diagnosis came as a shock to Van Der Beek, who 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. I tried to eat healthy — or as far as I knew it at the time," he shared.
It was during the summer of 2023 that Van Der Beek noticed changes in his bowel movements. Initially attributing it to dietary factors, he eventually sought medical attention. The diagnosis following his colonoscopy left him stunned. "I think I went into shock," he recalled.
Since his diagnosis, Van Der Beek has undergone various treatments, though he prefers not to disclose specific details at this time. He describes his journey as "a crash course in the mastery of mind, body, and spirit," adding, "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.'"
While maintaining a positive outlook, Van Der Beek acknowledges the challenges of living with cancer. "The trickiest thing is there are so many unknowns with cancer," he explained. "You think, 'How do I fix this? Is this healing me? Is this hurting me? Is this working? Is it coming back?' As someone who likes answers, not knowing is one of the hardest things."
Regarding his current health status, Van Der Beek remains cautiously optimistic. "I'm in a place of healing, my energy levels are great," he shared. While he's not ready to discuss stages of recovery or remission, he promises to update his fans when he feels he's "out of the woods completely."
Despite the challenges, Van Der Beek maintains a positive outlook on his future. "I have a lot to live for," he affirmed, highlighting his determination to overcome this health hurdle and continue making the most of life with his family.
By sharing his story, James Van Der Beek not only sheds light on the increasing incidence of colorectal cancer in younger adults but also offers hope and inspiration to others facing similar battles.