"There’s no playbook"— Dawson’s Creek actor James Van Der Beek opens up about cancer battle in an emotional Instagram post

In a recent Instagram post, Dawson's Creek actor James Van Der Beek revealed to his followers on November 3, 2024, that he has been battling colorectal cancer. He posted a video featuring photos of Van Der Beek with his family, which is set to the song Autumn Breeze by Richard LaForge.

James Van Der Beek, 47, shared that he had originally planned to announce his diagnosis in collaboration with People magazine, where he could tell his story on his own terms. However, his plans were disrupted when he was informed that a tabloid was preparing to publish the news, forcing him to address it publicly earlier than expected.

“"It is cancer…" Each year, approximately 2 billion people around the world receive this diagnosis. And I’m one of them. There’s no playbook for how announce these things,” he wrote in his post.

James Van Der Beek revealed that he has been handling the diagnosis privately while undergoing treatment and taking steps to improve his overall health. He described the experience as a major personal challenge but maintained an optimistic outlook and said that he is “in a good place and feeling strong.”

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James Van Der Beek breaks silence on his cancer battle

Van Der Beek confirmed to People in an interview published on November 3, 2024, that he has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, a disease that typically begins in the colon or rectum and can spread to other parts of the digestive system.

"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. There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good." He said to the publication.

Despite the serious nature of the diagnosis, Van Der Beek expressed confidence in his ability to fight the disease and shared that he’s been focusing intensely on his health.

He credited his family for their support, describing them as “incredible” and noting that their encouragement has helped him through this difficult time. Alongside his health journey, Van Der Beek has been prioritizing family time, spending more time with his wife Kimberly and their six children on their ranch in Texas, and even recently traveled to Egypt to create lasting memories with his loved ones.

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James Van Der Beek's career

James Van Der Beek (Image via Getty Images)

James Van Der Beek began his career in the late 1990s and gained fame for his role as Dawson Leery on Dawson’s Creek, which is a teen drama series that aired from 1998 to 2003.

After Dawson’s Creek, he took on a variety of roles. In 2012, he played a fictionalized, exaggerated version of himself in the sitcom Don’t Trust the B---- in Apartment 23, where he poked fun at his fame and the character that had made him famous.

In 2019, he participated in the 28th season of Dancing with the Stars, where he impressed viewers with his dance performances. Recently, he appeared in an episode of Walker and is set to star in the Tubi movie Sidelined: The QB and Me.

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Additionally, he will be part of The Real Full Monty, a TV special that aims to raise awareness about cancer screening, by featuring celebrities in a performance to support men’s health initiatives.