Following his colon cancer diagnosis in 2023, James Van Der Beek describes managing the illness as a “full-time job.” The actor has adopted numerous lifestyle changes to enhance his health, including increased stretching, yoga, and experimenting with the keto diet. He has discovered the value of slowing down, prioritizing rest, and emphasizing self-care, as he shared with TODAY.com.
Discussing his cancer journey, Van Der Beek stated, “I’m just on the journey. … It’s a process. It’ll probably be a process for the rest of my life.” Despite his diagnosis, the ‘Dawson’s Creek’ star remains professionally active, involved in the forthcoming TV series “Elle,” which explores the high school years of the iconic “Legally Blonde” character.
He noted, “The greatest thing about work is a cancer doesn’t exist between action and cut. It was fun to drop in and just have a blast because it’s such a great cast, a great production, and everybody out there is really talented.”
Van Der Beek is candid about his colon cancer experience, aiming to raise awareness on the crucial nature of early detection, particularly as more individuals under 50 are receiving similar diagnoses. He serves as a paid spokesperson for Guardant Health, which has developed an FDA-approved blood test for colon cancer screening that received approval in July 2024.
Although Van Der Beek experienced some bowel changes prompting a colonoscopy, he emphasized the need for everyone to adhere to screening guidelines regardless of symptom presence. According to the American Cancer Society, individuals with average risk should begin screening at age 45, while those at higher risk should commence earlier.
“I got screened at 46,” he remarked. “I didn’t realize they had dropped it to 45. I thought I was way ahead of the game.” He stressed, “Even just the slightest little change, it could be something, but … don’t think that not having symptoms means you don’t have to get screened, especially for something that is this curable when caught early. That’s really what I want to get across.”
Reflecting on his health, he added, “I ate as well as I could. I was healthy. I was in amazing cardiovascular shape. There was no reason in my mind that I should have gotten a positive diagnosis.”
Since sharing his story, Van Der Beek has received heartfelt feedback from fans and community members alike, who have indicated that his journey has inspired them to seek medical attention. “Guys I see at the gas station, people come up to me at a coffee shop; I appreciate it every time,” he noted. “That’s been stuff that really makes me cry when people say ‘I got checked, I got a colonoscopy, I got a polyp removed’ … just to save somebody that journey.”
