James Van Der Beek, best known for his role in “Dawson’s Creek,” revealed he has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
“I have colorectal cancer,” Van Der Beek told People magazine in an exclusive interview published on Sunday. “I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family.”
Colorectal cancer, also known as colon cancer, occurs when a clump of cells called polyps begin to form on the inner lining of the colon or rectum, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).
Despite the diagnosis, the 47-year-old actor said that “there’s reason for optimism” and that he’s “feeling good.”
Van Der Beek has been married to Kimberly Brook since 2010. The couple share six children: Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah.
Van Der Beek rose to fame playing Dawson Leery in the coming-of-age drama series “Dawson’s Creek” from 1998 to 2003. He featured in 128 episodes and starred alongside Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, Joshua Jackson, Mary-Margaret Humes, John Wesley Shipp, and Busy Philipps.
The actor appeared in other notable works, including “Varsity Blues,” “Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23,” “CSI: Cyber,” “Pose,” and the animated television series “Vampirina.” Van Der Beek recently guest-starred on the Western crime drama “Walker” and is set to appear in the upcoming romance film “Sidelined: The QB And Me,” a Tubi original film, which will be released on Nov. 29.
Colorectal Cancer
Colon cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States for men and the fourth-leading cause for women, according to the ACS. The rate of people under 55 diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer has increased by 1–2 percent since the mid-1990s, whereas incident rates dropped by 1 percent each year for older adults from 2011 to 2019.
The organization said the reduction in the death rate in older adults is a result of polyps being discovered before they develop into cancer due to screening, which helps identify the growths.
“Screening also results in many colorectal cancers being found earlier, when they are likely to be easier to treat. In addition, treatments for colorectal cancer have improved over the last few decades,” the ACS states.
The colon and rectum make up the large intestine, which is part of the digestive system. While polyps are common in older adults, most are non-cancerous but have the potential to change into cancer over time, depending on the type of polyp. Common symptoms include change in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, blood in the stool, weakness and fatigue, abdominal pain, and unexplained weight loss.