James Van Der Beek, Star of 'Dawson's Creek,' Reveals Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis

Former Teen Heartthrob Shares His Fight Against Cancer

'I Was Stunned'

James Van Der Beek, best known for his role as Dawson Leery on the hit TV show 'Dawson's Creek,' has revealed that he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at 42. In an interview with People magazine, Van Der Beek said he was "stunned" by the diagnosis, as he had no family history of the disease and had always been healthy.

Van Der Beek underwent surgery to remove the tumor in April 2023 and has since been undergoing chemotherapy. He says he has been responding well to treatment and is feeling positive about his recovery.

Early Detection is Key

Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States, but it is highly curable if caught early. Screening is recommended for all adults over the age of 45, and earlier for those with a family history of the disease.

Van Der Beek's story highlights the importance of early screening. He had no symptoms of colorectal cancer, but the screening test revealed the tumor early on, when it was still small and localized.

No Playbook for Sharing News

Van Der Beek says there is "no playbook" on how to share news about a cancer diagnosis. He chose to share his story publicly in the hopes of raising awareness about colorectal cancer and encouraging others to get screened.

"I wanted to share my story because I think it's important to talk about cancer and to let people know that they're not alone," Van Der Beek said. "I'm lucky to have caught my cancer early, but I know that's not always the case.

Get Screened Today

If you are over the age of 45, or have a family history of colorectal cancer, talk to your doctor about getting screened. Screening is the best way to catch colorectal cancer early, when it is most treatable.

For more information about colorectal cancer, visit the website of the American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer.html