James Van Der Beek, the unforgettable Dawson from the famous 1990s series, recently revealed that he had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. In an interview with “People”, published on November 8, 2024, the 47-year-old actor spoke about his journey. He highlights the importance of raising public awareness of this disease, cases of which are increasing among adults under 55 years old.
“That’s one of the reasons why I want to talk about it and why I do it so openly,” he said. “I dealt with this issue in secret for a while, and in the past found that sharing publicly was both helpful and cathartic. I found a lot of support that way. But beyond that, I really wanted to raise awareness.”
Married to Kimberley Brook, James Van Der Beek is the father of six children: Olivia, 14, Joshua, 12, Annabel, 10, Emilia, 8, Gwen, 6, and Jeremiah, 3. Despite his healthy and active lifestyle, the actor admits that he never thought he would be at risk. “I had always associated cancer with age, a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy habits,” he explained. “I was in excellent cardiovascular shape and did my best to eat healthy – as much as I could at the time.”
It all started when he noticed changes in his stools, but wasn’t overly concerned. A colonoscopy revealed an unexpected diagnosis. “The gastroenterologist told me – very gently – that it was cancer. I think I was in shock,” he said. But what was most difficult, he said, were the “unknowns” that came with the disease.
Today, James Van Der Beek says he is “cautiously optimistic” and assures that he is “on the road to recovery”. A poignant testimony that reminds everyone of the importance of monitoring their health and not ignoring the signs, even the most discreet.
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