AceShowbiz - James Van Der Beek, the popular "Varsity Blues" and "Dawson's Creek" star, aged 47, recently shared his personal battle with colorectal cancer as he joins other celebrities in an effort to raise awareness about prostate, testicular and colorectal cancer. In the Fox TV special "The Real Full Monty", he is accompanied by Anthony Anderson, Taye Diggs, Tyler Posey, Chris Jones and Bruno Tonioli. This special event aims to demystify and destigmatize these diseases.

Inspired by the 1997 British comedy "The Full Monty", which featured men forming a strip-tease act, this two-hour program not only brings awareness but also uses entertainment as a platform to encourage men to get screened for these cancers. The show's description emphasizes that "Leading up to the final disrobing, the men will expand their limits, test their modesty and strengthen their bond with a series of rehearsals and experiences, both private and public, designed to build confidence and remove them far from their comfort zone and forge a brotherhood."

As the program's premise includes not just the strip performance but also sharing personal stories, Van Der Beek's revelation of his diagnosis strikes a chord. He disclosed, "I'll be honest, I was diagnosed with cancer," which led Tonioli to break down into tears. He also told the cameras in a teaser obtained by PEOPLE, "If we can do the strip tease in front of a live audience, hopefully, that will inspire people to go get checked."

His candid announcement followed the revelation that he had shared his diagnosis earlier than intended due to impending tabloid coverage. In a heartfelt message on Instagram, he shared, "Each year, approximately 2 billion people around the world receive this diagnosis. And I'm one of them." This transparency is hoped to serve as encouragement for early testing and awareness.

The stars, led through their rehearsal by Emmy-winning choreographer Mandy Moore, will ultimately bare more than just their bodies. The special promises to highlight deep emotional narratives, including Anderson's reason for participating, "I lost a dear friend to cancer, so I wanted to help bring awareness."

"The Real Full Monty" special airs Monday, December 9, at 8 P.M. ET on Fox, offering a powerful combination of humor, heart and a hopeful message aimed at destigmatizing and encouraging essential cancer screenings among men.