James Van Der Beek has been flooded with a wave of supportive messages from his fans after he went public with his colorectal cancer battle.
The actor, 47, revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer on his Instagram over the weekend, later clarifying People that it was colorectal cancer.
He added that he felt forced to reveal his cancer diagnosis with the world before he had the chance to tell his loved ones, as a tabloid had planned to break the news.
In his post, James explained he had been getting treatment and reassured that he was ‘in a good place and feeling strong’.
Following his announcement, the Dawson’s Creek star was praised by fans on social media, as they voiced their shock and sadness and sent him well-wishes, while many said they hoped his candidness would raise awareness for the disease.
James Van Der Beek has been flooded with a wave of supportive messages from his fans after he went public with his colorectal cancer battle (pictured 2019)
The actor, 47, revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer on his Instagram over the weekend, later clarifying People that it was colorectal cancer
He added that he felt forced to reveal his cancer diagnosis with the world before he had the chance to tell his loved ones, as a tabloid had planned to break the news (pictured in 2020)
Taking to X, they gushed: ‘I’m sorry to hear that James Van Der Beek has colorectal cancer. James, you’ve been an inspiration to me for many reasons and I know you are strong! You will beat this!’
‘James Van Der Beek has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. My father died of the disease and it’s horrible. I just had a routine colonoscopy last week. Please get yourself screened and pray for this man.’
‘I find this so incredibly sad. I grew up on Dawson’s Creek and he’s a great actor. Wow this is just so sad.
‘Wishing James Van Der Beek strength and recovery during this challenging time; Oh please let #jamesvanderbeek be ok I beg.’
‘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.’
‘I wish James Van Der Beek a complete recovery. God bless him and his family of 6 children; Oh wow, that’s shocking! I can’t believe James is going through that!’
‘All the best to James Van Der Beek. I hope he beats it. And Dawson’s Creek was one of the teen staples for me back in the day.’
‘Wishing strength and support to James Van Der Beek. It’s a tough journey, but his story can inspire others to prioritize their health.’
In his post, James explained he had been getting treatment and reassured that he was ‘in a good place and feeling strong’
Following his announcement, the Dawson’s Creek star was praised by fans on social media, as they voiced their shock and sadness and sent him well-wishes, while many said they hoped his candidness would raise awareness for the disease
In James’ statement, he said he was sharing the news ‘on his own terms’ and apologised to the ‘people in his life he had not had chance to tell personally first’.
He explained he was told a tabloid was planning to run the news so rushed out a statement before he had the chance to tell certain people and admitted it was before he would have liked to have gone public with it.
He wrote: ‘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, but I’d planned on talking about it at length with People magazine at some point soon… to raise awareness and tell my story on my own terms.
‘But that plan had to be altered early this morning when I was informed that a tabloid was going to run with the news.’
James continued: ‘I’ve been dealing with this privately until now, getting treatment and dialing in my overall health with greater focus than ever before.
‘I’m in a good place and feeling strong. It’s been quite the initiation, and I’ll tell you more when I’m ready.
‘Apologies to all the people in my life who I’d planned on telling myself. Nothing about this process has occurred on my preferred timeline.
In James’ statement, he said he was sharing the news ‘on his own terms’ and apologised to the ‘people in his life he had not had chance to tell personally first’
He explained he was told a tabloid was planning to run the news so rushed out a statement before he had the chance to tell certain people and admitted it was before he would have liked to have gone public with it
‘But we roll with it, taking each surprise as a signpost, pointing us toward a greater destiny than we would have discovered without divine intervention.
‘Please know that my family and I deeply appreciate all the love and support. More to come…’
James is slated to be one of the numerous celebrities to appear on Fox’s The Real Full Monty, a two-hour special where celebs will strip to spread awareness for prostate, testicular, and colorectal cancer testing and research.
He will be joined by Taye Diggs, Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones and Dancing With the Stars judge Bruno Tonioli.
While it’s unclear when he was first diagnosed with cancer, it certainly hasn’t slowed him down on the work front.
He most recently appeared in an episode of The CW’s Walker and he’ll next be seen in the Tubi film Sidelined: The QB and Me, debuting November 29.
Those projects were his first since 2021, when he provided the voice for Boris in the Disney animated series Vampirina.
The Van Der Beeks just celebrated Halloween on their 36-acre Texas ranch with their six children – daughter Olivia, 14; son Joshua, 12; daughter Annabel, 10; daughter Emilia, eight; daughter Gwendolyn, six; and son Jeremiah, three.
Earlier on Sunday, James confirmed to People: ‘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.’
It’s unclear what stage of colorectal cancer James has, but it reportedly starts in the colon or the rectum for one in 23 men on average with 65% surviving past five years.
The Van Der Beeks just celebrated Halloween on their 36-acre Texas ranch with their six children – daughter Olivia, 14; son Joshua, 12; daughter Annabel, 10; daughter Emilia, eight; daughter Gwendolyn, six; and son Jeremiah, three (pictured)