James Van Der Beek got candid about his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis, saying that while it often feels like a “full-time job,” he’s trying to take life more slowly and thoughtfully.
James Van Der Beek knows his life will never be the same.
The Dawson’s Creek alum—who was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in August 2023—shared that he’ll likely continue to battle the disease for the remainder of his life.
“I’m just on the journey,” James told Today.com in an interview published July 30. “It’s a process. It’ll probably be a process for the rest of my life.”
The 48-year-old said that living with cancer feels like a “full-time job,” explaining that James Van Der Beek’s made multiple lifestyle changes to his diet and exercise routine to ensure his wellbeing.
The most important thing for James right now is to find “the beauty of just taking things a little bit more slowly and prioritizing rest and really allowing that to be the job.”
The Varsity Blues star also encouraged others to get screened for colorectal cancer, noting that when he got screened at 46, James Van Der Beekdidn’t realize they had changed the recommended screening age to 45.
“I thought I was way ahead of the game,” he explained. “I ate as well as I could. I was healthy. I was in amazing cardiovascular shape. There was no reason in my mind that I should have gotten a positive diagnosis.”For now, James—who is shares children Olivia, 14, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 11, Emilia, 9, Gwendolyn, 7, and Jeremiah, 3 with wife Kimberly Van Der Beek—is finding normalcy by getting back in front of the camera for the upcoming Legally Blonde prequel series Elle.
“The greatest thing about work is a cancer doesn’t exist between action and cut,” he said. “It was fun to drop in and just have a blast because it’s such a great cast, a great production, and everybody out there is really talented.”
But since sharing his diagnosis in November 2024, James has been candid about the difficulties he’s faced.
“I had to come nose to nose with death,” he said on Instagram in March. “I was away for treatment, so I could no longer be a husband that was helpful to my wife. I could no longer be a father who could pick up his kids and put them to bed and be there for them. I could not be a provider because I wasn’t working.”
Still, he’s been able to see some light in the dark, adding, “I meditated and the answer came through. I am worthy of God’s love, simply because I exist. And if I’m worthy of God’s love, shouldn’t I also be worthy of my own? And the same is true for you.”
Read his full Instagram post below.
James Van Der Beek’s unexpected absence from the much-anticipated Dawson’s Creek reunion highlights how unpredictable health concerns can be, even for beloved stars. While fans may be disappointed, James Van Der Beek’s decision to prioritize recovery underscores the importance of self-care over public appearances. Support from co-stars and fans alike reflects the lasting impact he has had on the show and its legacy. Though he may have missed this reunion, the outpouring of well wishes makes it clear that audiences continue to cherish both James and the timeless world of Dawson’s Creek.
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