James Van Der Beek was forced to reveal his cancer diagnosis ahead of schedule
James Van Der Beek is suffering from colon cancer.
The actor, who is best known for his roles in “Dawson's Creek” and “Varsity Blues,” shared the news in a statement to People magazine over the weekend, but later revealed that he wanted to wait to go public with his diagnosis.
In an Instagram post, Van Der Beek wrote, “'Cancer…' Each year, nearly two billion people around the world get this diagnosis. And I'm one of them.”
JAMES VAN DER BEEK SAYS MOVING FROM LOS ANGELES TO AUSTIN WAS 'BREAKING' HIS FAMILY.
James Van Der Beek has announced that he has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. (Michael Buckner/Last Day/Penske Media via Getty Images)
He continued, “There is no playbook on how [to] announce these things, but I had planned to talk about it at length with People magazine sometime soon… to raise awareness and tell my own story. But that plan had to be changed early in the morning when I was told that the tabloid was going to have the news.”
Up until now, he explained, he's been “dealing with this in private,” focusing on “getting treatment and dialing in my life with more focus than ever.”
James Van Der Beek and wife Kimberly have six children. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for WarnerMedia and AT&T)
He added, “I'm in a good place and I feel strong. It's been quite an initiation, and I'll tell you more when I'm ready.”
Van Der Beek then took a moment to apologize to the people who knew him who had to find out what he was doing in the media, saying, “There is nothing about this program that is happening in my preferred timeline… a sign, that points us to a bigger plan than we would have without divine intervention.”
He thanked his fans for their love and support and said there is more to come.
His wife of 14 years, Kimberly, commented on his post, writing, “I love you baby” and adding a heart emoji.
James Van Der Beek has been married to wife Kimberly since 2010. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for A24)
The father of six in his first statement to People said, “I have colorectal cancer. I've been dealing with this privately and I'm taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my amazing family.”
He added, “There is reason to be optimistic, and I feel good.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, “many treatment options can help manage” colorectal cancer, including “surgery, radiation therapy and medications, such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy.” It is recommended that people at normal risk of cancer start screening at age 45.
This year, Van Der Beek, 47, received acting honors by appearing in the June episode of Walker. The movie, “Sidelined The QB and Me,” premieres on Tubi later this month.
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James Van Der Beek, front, best known for starring in “Dawson's Creek” along with Michelle Williams, left, Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson. (Columbia/TriStar International Television. A Sony Pictures Entertainment Company.)
In December, he is slated to appear in a Fox special called “The Real Full Monty.” In the special, he, along with actors Taye Diggs, Tyler Posey and Anthony Anderson, as well as Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones and “Dancing with the Stars” judge Bruno Toniolo, will “undress to raise awareness about prostate, testicular. , and colorectal cancer screening and research.”
He first announced his involvement with the special in May, months before he revealed his battle with the disease.
James Van Der Beek and his family moved to Austin from Los Angeles in 2020. (James Van Der Beek)
Last week, Diggs spoke to People about the special, saying that when the cast got together, “they started talking about these stories, everybody started opening up, and we got to know each other on a different level.”
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He said, “That gave the game, instead of it being this nice brawl with all these middle-aged men, it meant something.”
James Van Der Beek is part of “The Real Full Monty,” a two-hour special, premiering December 9. (FOX via Getty Images)
In the promo, the stars can be seen undressing, just like the cast of the original “Full Monty” movie.
A radio special airs on Fox on Dec. 9.
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