James Van Der Beek Opens Up About Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis

James Van Der Beek is using his platform to raise awareness about a disease that’s becoming more common in younger adults. On November 3, the 47-year-old actor revealed that he had been diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer at age 46. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, he shares his journey, the challenges he faces, and the hope he has for his recovery.

For months, James kept his diagnosis private, but now, he’s speaking out to shed light on the rise of colorectal cancer among people under 55. “That’s one of the reasons I want to talk about it and the reason I’m talking about it so openly. I’ve been dealing with this pretty much in secret for a while, and I’ve found it helpful and cathartic to share things publicly,” he stated.

Living on a ranch in Texas with his wife, Kimberly, and their six kids, the actor has always prioritized health and fitness, making his diagnosis even more of a shock. “I’d always associated cancer with age and 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 says. 

James had no family history of cancer, so it never crossed his mind that he would be facing such a diagnosis.

His journey began in the summer of 2023 when he started noticing changes in his bowel movements. Initially, he thought it was related to his diet, possibly too much coffee. But when cutting out certain foods didn’t help, he decided to get checked. After his colonoscopy, he received the news that would change everything. “I think I went into shock,” he says, remembering the moment his doctor calmly shared the diagnosis.

Since then, the actor has undergone treatments that include surgery and chemotherapy. Though he’s hesitant to share specific details about his medical regimen, he remains focused on the bigger picture. “This has been a crash course in the mastery of mind, body, and spirit. I thought, ‘This is either going to take me out of the body, or it’s going to teach me how to truly live in it,’” he reflects.

While he stays positive, there are tough days. “The trickiest thing is there are so many unknowns with cancer. You think, ‘How do I fix this? Is this healing me? Is this hurting me? Is this working? Is it coming back?’” he wonders. 

James is cautiously optimistic about his health, focusing on his healing. “I’m in a place of healing, my energy levels are great,” he says. Though he’s not yet ready to discuss stages of recovery or remission, he assures fans that he feels good. “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,” he stated.

Above all, the actor is driven by the strong belief that he has “a lot to live for.”