James Van Der Beek opens up about stage 3 cancer battle
James Van Der Beek, who is most known for his role on the 1990s television show Dawsons Creek, has opened up about being diagnosed with stage three colorectal cancer, describing his overall optimism and hope.
The actor first shared his diagnosis in November 2024, expressing gratitude for the support he has been receiving from his family while in treatment.
In a post on Instagram, the actor shared, “Each year, approximately 2 billion people around the world receive this diagnosis. And I’m one of them,” assuring fans that despite this, he was “in a good place and feeling strong.”
Van Der Beek revealed how a routine colonoscopy in 2023 led to him discovering that he had cancer, saying, “As I was coming out of the haze, the gastroenterologist said in his most pleasant bedside manner, ‘It is cancer’. I really didn’t feel like this was gonna end me. This is gonna be the biggest life redirect. I’m gonna make changes that I never would have made otherwise.”
He has expressed his gratitude towards his wife Kimberly and her support during this time, saying, “I’m more grateful than ever to my superhuman wife who has shown up on levels I never knew possible”. The pair married in 2010 and share six children together.
Van Der Beek has also used his personal battle with cancer to raise broader awareness, selling limited editions of his Varsity Blues T-shirts for a charity that supports families who have been affected by cancer while also taking part in the Full Monty to encourage people to stay vigilant and start testing early.
The actor has shared he still has a long journey ahead, saying, “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. I have a lot to live for.”
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