James Van Der Beek says he ignored early symptoms of colon cancer

James Van Der Beek has given his first comments about the “shock” of learning he had colorectal cancer and the “hardest thing” he has faced since his diagnosis.

The former Dawson’s Creek star, 47, spoke to People about his decision to go public with his diagnosis and what prompted him to get tested. Van Der Beek announced in a statement On November 3, he said he was receiving private treatment for colorectal cancer but was “in good health and feeling strong.”

Van der Beek told People magazine that he had been working on his health in secret, but “found it helpful and cathartic to share things publicly.”

An actor who lives with his wife Kimberly and their six children on a ranch in Texas, said he decided to share his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis because he “really wanted to raise awareness.”

Scientists say that in most cases, colorectal cancer begins as growths called polyps in the colon or rectum and over time can spread to the walls of these areas. American Cancer Society.

The incidence of colorectal cancer in people under age 55 like Van der Beek has increased 1% to 2% per year since the mid-1990s, according to the American Cancer Society.

“I’ve always associated cancer with age and an unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle,” Van der Beek told People magazine. “But I had amazing cardiovascular health. I tried to eat healthy, as far as I knew at the time.”

The actor said that his first symptoms, like many patients with colon cancer, were changes in his stool, which he noticed in the summer of 2023. At first he thought they were caused by drinking coffee, but the problems persisted.

“When I cut it and the situation didn’t improve, I thought, ‘OK, I better check this out,'” he said.

Van der Beek had a colonoscopy and then learned he had cancer.

“Then the gastroenterologist said—in his nicest way—that it was cancer,” he said. – “I think I went into shock.”

He did not talk about the treatment he had to undergo. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer can be treated with medications, surgery and chemotherapy.

“The hardest thing is that there are so many unknowns about cancer,” Van der Beek said. “You’re thinking, ‘How do I fix this? Does this heal me? Does this hurt me? Does it work? Is it coming back? For a person who likes answers, not knowing is one of the most difficult things.”

He tries to stay positive while battling the disease.

“I’m very cautiously optimistic,” he said. “I am in a place of healing, my energy level is great. When I’m completely out of the woods for what I think is a crucial time, I’ll come back and let you know.

“I have something to live for,” he added.

Van der Beek wrote: Instagram On November 4, he decided to reveal that he had cancer because the tabloid was about to publish the news.