“Dawson’s Creek” actor James Van Der Beek has revealed that he’s suffering from colorectal cancer. Van Der Beek, who also starred in the cult classic “Varsity Blues,” shared the news of his diagnosis with People in a statement put out last weekend. However, he also stated that originally, he had planned to wait a bit longer to discuss his condition publicly. That’s understandable. Going through something like this is a very private matter and one that he probably just wanted to share with family and close friends for a bit.
According to a report from Fox News, Van Der Beek wrote in an Instagram post, “It is cancer…each year, app0roximately 2 billion people around the world receive this diagnosis. And I’m one of them.”
He then added, “There’s no playbook for how [to] announce these things, but I’d planned on talking about it at length with People magazine at some point soon… to raise awareness and tell my story on my own terms. But that plan had to be altered early this morning when I was informed that a tabloid was going to run with the news.”
Until now, he explained that he had been “dealing with this privately,” focusing on “getting treatment and dialing in my overall health with greater focus than ever before.” He also shared, “I’m in a good place and feeling strong. It’s been quite the initiation, and I’ll tell you more when I’m ready.”
Van Der Beek then took a moment to apologize to people he knows personally who had to find out about his diagnosis through the media, noting, “Nothing about this process has occurred on my preferred timeline… But we roll with it, taking each surprise as a signpost, pointing us toward a greater destiny than we would have discovered without divine intervention.”
He thanked his followers for their love and support and said that there will be “more to come.” His wife of 14 years, Kimberly, commented on his post, writing, “I love you baby” and adding a heart emoji.
Van Der Beek, who has six children, said in the statement sent to People, “I have colorectal cancer. I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family.”
He then said, “There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good.”
According to Mayo Clinic, “many treatments can help control” colorectal cancer, including “surgery, radiation therapy and medicines, such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy.” It is recommended that people with an average risk of the cancer begin preventative screenings at 45.
Thoughts and prayers for the Van Der Beek family during what’s sure to be a stressful time.