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- James Van Der Beek was ‘doing everything’ for his health. One subtle symptom revealed he had stage 3 colon cancer at 46. (businessinsider.com)
Actor James Van Der Beek, known for his role in “Dawson’s Creek,” has bravely shared his stage 3 colon cancer diagnosis, received at age 46, to raise awareness about the importance of early screening. Van Der Beek, now 48, revealed his diagnosis, which occurred in 2023, over a year after beginning treatment.
Despite diligently prioritizing his health through various fitness activities and a healthy diet, Van Der Beek initially dismissed changes in his bowel movements as insignificant. He admitted, “It didn’t feel like a real symptom of anything.” However, the persistence of the issue led him to undergo a colonoscopy, which revealed the shocking diagnosis.
Van Der Beek’s experience highlights the alarming trend of younger individuals being diagnosed with advanced cancers, often despite healthy lifestyles and subtle symptoms. He expressed regret for not getting screened earlier, noting the limited options available in 2023 before the FDA approval of the Shield blood test in 2024.
The actor now advocates for early screening, particularly promoting the Shield test, a simple blood draw that can detect signs of colon cancer. He stresses the importance of heeding the recommended screening age of 45, stating, “Don’t let my ‘could haves’ become yours.”
Van Der Beek’s journey has been challenging. Relocating his family from Los Angeles to Austin in 2020, coupled with adjusting to new healthcare providers, delayed his initial screening. He candidly described the shock of the diagnosis and the ongoing process of coming to terms with it.
Treatment brought its own set of difficulties, impacting Van Der Beek’s sense of self. He shared, “All these beautiful things that I love, and I used to define myself as — a father, a provider, a husband — all that got taken away, or at least paused.” The actor emphasized the importance of support systems, acknowledging the challenges of navigating medical complexities alone.
Despite the hardships, Van Der Beek has found purpose in raising awareness. His participation in “The Real Full Monty” in 2024, a televised special for cancer awareness, marked his first public disclosure of his diagnosis.
He now embraces his platform, stating, “It’s been a real blessing… I get people telling me they’re praying for me all over the place.”
Van Der Beek remains passionate about increasing screening accessibility and promoting alternative screening options. He acknowledges the discomfort and inconvenience of traditional colonoscopies and highlights less invasive at-home tests and blood tests like Shield as valuable tools.
While his cancer journey continues, Van Der Beek is committed to transforming his experience into a force for good. He reflected, “What’s the thing that I’m going to look back on this in 20 years and say, ‘Thank God that happened?'” For him, raising awareness and potentially saving lives provides the answer.