"Doesn't he have like six kids?"— Netizens react as James Van Der Beek reveals he has colorectal cancer

Actor James Van Der Beek revealed that he has colorectal cancer during a Sunday, November 3, interview with People magazine. He shared that he's been "privately dealing with the diagnosis" and is taking the necessary steps to treat the illness.

As the news of his cancer diagnosis circulated online, fans commented, hoping for the actor's recovery. A Reddit user with the name Apprehensive_Lab4178 hoped for the "best outcome" for Van Der Beek's cancer battle.

"Oh, nooo. Doesn't he have like six kids? I hope for the best outcome here," a Reddit user commented.

Fan comment on James Van Der Beek's cancer diagnosis (Image via @Apprehensive_Lab4178/ Reddit)

Many other fans took to social media to share their hopes for the actor's quick recovery, with others commending his "openness" in the wake of his cancer diagnosis revelation.

"Him and his family has been having it rough. Pray wisdom for his doctors and quick recovery," an X user commented.

'Wishing him the best during his #colorectalcancer journey. It has become a disease of those <50, & we must do all we can to prevent it, & treat it early in those who are diagnosed w/ it," another X user wrote.

"Van Der Beek's openness about his colorectal cancer diagnosis is commendable. It raises awareness about the condition and highlights the importance of family support during tough times. Wishing him strength in his journey," an X user added.

When other netizens read the news of James Van Der Beek being diagnosed with colorectal cancer, some of them urged other people to get their colonoscopies to check their tubes, with the illness becoming more common in young people.

"I wonder if he just got his first colonoscopy or something that let him know? We gotta be checking our tubes much younger these days w[ith] cancer rates going up," a Reddit user commented.

"Colorectal cancer is becoming more common in young people than it used to be so I would encourage everyone to get their colonoscopies and go straight to the doctor if you ever see blood in your stool and don't dismiss bowel trouble as 'something you ate' if it becomes frequent," another Reddit user added.

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Exploring James Van Der Beek's family amid his colorectal cancer diagnosis

During his cancer reveal interview with People magazine, James Van Der Beek said that he's facing the challenges of his illness "with the support of my incredible family."

The Scary Movie actor has been married to his second wife, Kimberly, since August 2010, a year after they first met in Israel in 2009.

The couple are proud parents to their six children: Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, and Jeremiah, and the actor is a proud father. He gushed about fatherhood in his 2013 interview with People, saying:

"I think fatherhood changes you from the inside out."

That said, the family of eight didn't have it easy, as they reportedly faced several pregnancy losses before the birth of their youngest, Jeremiah, in October 2021.

The couple was emotional when they recalled the pregnancy loss in the Bathroom Chronicles podcast in 2023, with James Van Der Beek saying:

"It was just so much pain, and it was so unexpected because everything was right, everything was a fairy tale."

As for James Van Der Beek's recent cancer diagnosis, he didn't disclose any information about his treatment plan. That said, the Pose actor told People magazine that he is "feeling good" and that there are "reasons for optimism" about his condition.