James Van Der Beek was forced to reveal his cancer diagnosis ahead of the planned timeline

James Van Der Beek suffers from colon cancer.

The actor, best known for his starring roles in “Dawson’s Creek” and “Varsity Blues,” shared the news in a statement to People magazine over the weekend, but later revealed that he wanted to wait to make his diagnosis public.

In an Instagram post, Van Der Beek wrote: “’It’s cancer…’ Every year, approximately 2 billion people around the world receive this diagnosis. And I am one of them.”

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He continued: “There is no playbook for how [to] I was going to announce these things, but I planned to talk about them in depth with People magazine soon… to raise awareness and tell my story on my own terms. But that plan had to change early this morning when I was told a tabloid would be reporting the news.”

Until now, he explained that he was “dealing with this privately,” focusing on “getting treatment and dialing in my overall health with more focus than ever before.”

He also said: “I’m in a good place and I feel strong. It was quite an initiation and I will tell you more when I am ready.”

Van Der Beek then took a moment to apologize to people he knows personally who had to find out about his diagnosis through the media, noting: “Nothing about this process has taken place on my preferred timeline …a signpost pointing us to a greater destiny than we would have discovered without divine intervention.”

He thanked his followers for their love and support and said there will be “more to come.”

His wife of 14 years, Kimberly, responded to his post by writing, “I love you honey” and adding a heart emoji.

The father of six told People in his original statement: “I have colorectal cancer. I have been dealing with this diagnosis privately and have taken steps to resolve it, with the support of my wonderful family.”

He added: “There is reason for optimism, and I feel good.”

According to Mayo Clinic, “Many treatments can help control” colorectal cancer, including “surgery, radiation therapy, and medications, such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.” It is recommended that people at average risk for cancer begin preventive screenings at age 45.

This year, Van Der Beek, 47, earned one acting credit for his appearance in a June episode of “Walker.” A film, “Sidelined The QB and Me,” will premiere on Tubi later this month.

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In December, he will appear in a Fox special called “The Real Full Monty.” In the special, he, along with actors Taye Diggs, Tyler Posey and Anthony Anderson, as well as Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones and “Dancing with the Stars” judge Bruno Toniolo, will “strip naked to raise awareness for prostate, testicular – and testicular complaints’. and colorectal cancer testing and research.”

He first announced his involvement in the special in May, months before revealing his personal battle with the disease.

Last week, Diggs spoke to people about the special, saying that when the cast got together, they “really started talking about these issues, everyone opened up and we got to know each other on a different level.”

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He said: “That defined the performance, instead of it being a cute striptease with all these middle-aged men, it meant something.”

In a promo, the stars can be seen dismantling similar to the characters in the original “Full Monty” film.

The special will air on Fox on December 9.

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