James Van Der Beek hasn’t been seen publicly in months, even missing a recent “Dawson’s Creek” reunion, sparking concern among fans.
Speaking to us from his Texas ranch, Van Der Beek is now reflecting on a more than two-year battle with colon cancer.
NBC6 anchor Sheli Muñiz: Talk to me about what this chapter has been like for you since you received your diagnosis.
Van Der Beek: It’s been the wildest, hardest journey I’ve ever had in this lifetime. It’s required more patience, more discipline, more strength than I knew I had, quite frankly. But there’s also been a lot of beauty in it.
The 48-year-old actor, husband and father said the scariest part was the possibility of not watching his six children grow up.
What are some practical things that you have done in your life that you feel are taking your power back, essentially?
Van Der Beek: You know, diet has been the biggest one. And I ate pretty healthy before, but once I really dug into just how not food so much of the food we buy and eat is, that’s been the biggest thing.”
Shifting behavior and mindset, he said he is living a more present life and using his story to save others.
“You know, I got a colonoscopy because there are a couple of things that are happening, but nothing that made me rush to the doctor,” he said.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. It often starts as small growths called polyps. They can be detected and removed early with a colonoscopy, now recommended at age 45.
Yet millions still put it off.
What do you think is the biggest misconception, or what’s the fear that holds someone back from getting screened?
Van Der Beek: I think the biggest misconception is the same one I had, which is that you need to have something seriously wrong with you to get screened for colorectal cancer. You don’t. You can have no symptoms and still have cancer.
Van Der Beek is now teaming with Guardant Health to raise awareness about newer FDA options, including their Shield blood test. The goal is to make screening more accessible.
When you hear the phrase, “early detection saves lives,” what does that mean to you with your lived experience now?
Van Der Beek: I’ve seen firsthand how it can save lives. I’ve had people I know get screened, get it taken care of, and move on with their life, and not have to go through the journey that I’ve been on.”
Van Der Beek plans to continue acting. His message is simple: get screened.
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