
After breaking the news about his worrying cancer diagnosis, the former 'Dawson's Creek' star reveals that he is 'in a place of healing' with 'great' energy levels.
- Nov 9, 2024
AceShowbiz - James Van Der Beek is not giving up despite his health issues. After breaking the news about his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis, the former "Dawson's Creek" star revealed that he is "very cautiously optimistic."
Recently, the 47-year-old actor had a sit-down with PEOPLE to discuss the matter. In the interview published on Friday, November 8, he shared that he is "in a place of healing" with "great" energy levels despite the health problem.
James said, "I'm very cautiously optimistic. I'm in a place of healing, my energy levels are great. When I've been out of the woods completely for what feels like a responsible amount of time, I'll circle back and let you know. I have a lot to live for."
About the diagnosis, James stated, "I'd always associated cancer with age and with unhealthy, sedentary lifestyles. But I was in amazing cardiovascular shape. I tried to eat healthy - or as far as I knew it at the time." He then admitted that he "went into shock" upon learning of the diagnosis.
James further talked about his intention in raising awareness about the disease. "That's one of the reasons I want to talk about it and the reason I'm talking about it so openly," he explained. "I've been dealing with this pretty much in secret for a while, and in the past, I've found it helpful and cathartic to share things publicly. And I've found a lot of support that way. But more than that, I really wanted to raise awareness."
Earlier in November, James shocked many with his revelation, saying that has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. After breaking the news about his battle with the serious health condition that affects the large intestine, he expressed regret for not being able to tell his loved ones personally. "Apologies to all the people in my life who I'd planned on telling myself," he said in an Instagram post.
The former "Dancing with the Stars" contestant additionally elaborated, "Nothing about this process has occurred on my preferred timeline... 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."