James Van Der Beek Says He Feels 'Much, Much Better' amid Stage 3 Cancer Journey
- - James Van Der Beek Says He Feels 'Much, Much Better' amid Stage 3 Cancer Journey
Rachel RaposasDecember 20, 2025 at 12:07 AM
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Craig Melvin/instagram
James Van Der Beek with Craig Melvin on 'Today' -
James Van Der Beek shared an update on his cancer journey during an interview with Today on Dec. 19
He told Today's Craig Melvin that he has been feeling good after a few rough months
Van Der Beek was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in 2023 and shared the news publicly in November 2024
James Van Der Beek is on the upswing.
The Dawson's Creek alum, 48, sat down with Today's Craig Melvin in an interview that aired on Dec. 19 — his first televised interview since dropping out of the show's reunion in September — and opened up about the range of emotions he has experienced during his cancer journey. Van Der Beek was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in 2023 and shared the news publicly in November 2024.
Van Der Beek said he has been feeling more like himself again.
“I feel much, much better than I did a couple months ago," Van Der Beek said. "It's been a longer journey than I ever thought it would be. It's required more of me — more patience, more discipline, more strength than I knew I had. I knew I was strong — I didn't know I was this strong. But I feel good."
James Van Der Beek
Around the time of his diagnosis, there weren't any huge signs that something might be wrong with his health, Van Der Beek said. He experienced a shift in bowel habits and felt a sense that something was "off" in his body — nothing especially alarming, he said — but he decided to visit his doctor and request a colonoscopy out of caution.
He was still in an anesthesia-induced haze when his doctor confirmed to him that he had stage 3 colorectal cancer. Shortly afterwards, Van Der Beek "went into shock," he said.
"I really don't think I knew what to do. Neither did my wife. And we drove home in silence," Van Der Beek recalled. "And part of me wanted to panic. Part of me wanted to just freak out. But then another part of my brain was like, ‘You don't know enough yet.' "
Since receiving his diagnosis, Van Der Beek has been a vocal advocate for early colon cancer screening. Anyone over 45 can get screened — he did so at age 46 — regardless of symptoms or not, via stool test, a colonoscopy or other methods.
Regarding his diagnosis, the father of six decided with his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, to be as honest as possible with his kids.
“Kids know if you're not right. They know if you're sick. They know you're not feeling well. They know if you're in pain,” Van Der Beek said. “So their request to me, especially the older ones, is, ‘Just be honest with us. We want to know.’ ”
Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup for TUBI/Shutterstock
James Van Der Beek in November 2024
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Van Der Beek also praised his wife for her steadfast support. She "stepped up as a caretaker, as a nurse, as head of the household," Van Der Beek said, and added that he wouldn't be alive without her.
Renewed concerns about Van Der Beek's health came when he opted out of the Dawson's Creek reunion three months ago. Van Der Beek instead appeared via video and looked to have lost a lot of weight, prompting concern from fans. But Van Der Beek told Today that his absence was actually unrelated to his cancer; rather, he had contracted a stomach bug, which was exacerbated by his cancer.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
