Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek has revealed he has been diagnosed with colon cancer.
Despite the diagnosis, the 47-year-old said there was “reason for optimism” and that he “felt good” when he made the announcement in an interview with the American outlet People.
The star made his name playing Dawson Leery in the US teen drama series from 1998 to 2003 and will appear in a US Fox special called The Real Full Monty, which is based on the 1997 British film and features a group of male celebrities . undressing to raise awareness for cancer awareness and research.
He told People: “I have colorectal cancer, I have dealt with this diagnosis privately and have taken steps to resolve it, with the support of my wonderful family. There is reason for optimism, and I feel good.”
The Connecticut actor has continued to work, appearing in an episode of Walker, the reboot of Walker, Texas Ranger, on US network The CW, and will appear in Sidelined: The QB And Me, a Tubi original film to be released on November 29.
He told People that he prioritized time with his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their children Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah.
Van Der Beek is also known for his roles as a fictionalized version of himself in Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23, in CSI: Cyber as FBI agent Elijah Mundo, and as Matt Bromley in the first season of the FX drama Pose.
Bowel cancer can develop in the rectum or colon and is one of the most common types of cancer in many parts of the world. It is also called colorectal cancer because it affects the large intestine, including the colon and rectum. Symptoms include pain in the rectum or anus, a change in the appearance or shape of the stool, blood or mucus in the stool, unexplained anemia, or a change in normal bowel habits.