James Van Der Beek has revealed his diagnosis of colorectal cancer, following the recent passing of Shannen Doherty, who battled breast cancer. At 47, he shared his health struggles with *People* magazine, emphasizing the support from his family as he navigates treatment. Van Der Beek expressed disappointment over a premature tabloid leak of his diagnosis but remains optimistic, planning to raise awareness on cancer screenings through an appearance on *The Real Full Monty*. Fans have rallied around him with messages of support.
James Van Der Beek’s Cancer Diagnosis: A Personal Journey
In a somber turn of events, the entertainment world has been rocked by the recent passing of *Shannen Doherty*, the beloved star of the iconic series *Charmed*, who lost her long battle with breast cancer. Following this heartbreaking news, another star, *James Van Der Beek*, known for his role in the hit show *Dawson’s Creek*, has publicly shared his own health struggles. The actor has been diagnosed with *colorectal cancer*, a reality he recently revealed through *People* magazine, while aiming to reassure his family and fans.
At 47 years old, Van Der Beek, who experienced the loss of his mother in 2020, expressed that he has been confronting this diagnosis privately. He emphasized the importance of support from his “incredible family” as he takes steps to manage his health. On November 3, he conveyed his determination to fight the illness, stating, “There are reasons to be optimistic and I feel good.” He is preparing to share his journey publicly, with plans to raise awareness about cancer screenings. According to *People*, he will be featured on the television show *The Real Full Monty*, which focuses on the importance of screening and research for prostate, testicular, and colorectal cancers.
Unexpected Tabloid Leak and Community Support
However, the announcement didn’t unfold as he had hoped. The actor, who shares six children with his partner *Kimberly Brook*, took to Instagram to express his disappointment over a tabloid leak by *TMZ* that revealed his diagnosis before he could share it on his own terms. “I had planned to talk about it extensively with People Magazine soon… to raise awareness and tell my story on my own terms,” he shared in a heartfelt post.
In a candid message that quickly garnered over 115,000 likes, Van Der Beek reflected on the impactful nature of his diagnosis, noting that “every year about 2 billion people worldwide receive this diagnosis.” He reassured his followers that he is surrounded by a strong support system and is actively undergoing treatment. “I feel strong. It has been quite an initiation, and I will tell you more when I am ready,” he hinted, while expressing gratitude for the outpouring of love and support he has received.
The response from fans has been overwhelmingly positive, with many sending their well wishes and prayers for his recovery. Messages of support flooded in, with fans expressing sentiments like, “We are sending you good vibes,” and “I pray for you and your beautiful family, James.” It’s anticipated that his former co-stars from *Dawson’s Creek*, including *Katie Holmes*, *Michelle Williams*, and *Joshua Jackson*, will also rally around him during this challenging time.
Since *Dawson’s Creek*, James Van Der Beek has continued to showcase his talent in various television shows, including *Walker Texas Ranger*, *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit*, *One Tree Hill*, and *How I Met Your Mother*. He has appeared in several films, such as *The Rules of Attraction* (2002), *The Big Bang* (2010), and *Jay and Silent Bob Reboot* (2019), proving his versatility as an actor throughout his career.