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| James Van Der Beek, 48, was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2023. He's spreading the word about the importance of early screenings. Guardant Health |
James Van Der Beek was the picture of health. The actor, best known for his iconic role as Dawson Leery in the late ’90s cult favorite Dawson’s Creek, had long dedicated himself to physical fitness and well-being. In his late forties, he was immersed in the world of biohacking, strength training, football drills, Pilates, cold plunges, and organic eating. In many ways, he embodied the lifestyle of someone deeply committed to longevity, peak performance, and preventive health.
But even the most optimized bodies can harbor hidden threats.
In 2023, at the age of 46, Van Der Beek was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer a diagnosis that blindsided him and redefined everything he thought he understood about his health. The symptom that led to this discovery? A subtle, seemingly benign change in his bowel movements one that didn’t cause him alarm, at least not at first.
"I Was Doing Everything Right": The Illusion of Immunity
Van Der Beek, now 48, recalls the irony of the situation. “I was doing everything,” he told Truth Sider. “Sauna, cold plunge, weightlifting, dancing, football training. I ate organic food. I did all the biohacking things.”
But despite all that, his body was silently battling a disease he didn’t know was there. That subtle change in bowel habits didn’t come with pain, bleeding, or severe discomfort. It wasn’t enough to make him panic just enough to make him stop drinking coffee temporarily, in case it was a digestive issue. He brushed it off, trusting his healthy lifestyle would shield him from something as serious as cancer.
It didn’t.
When the symptom persisted, Van Der Beek finally underwent a colonoscopy. The result: stage 3 colon cancer, meaning the disease had spread to nearby lymph nodes but not to distant organs. While not yet terminal, it was serious, aggressive, and required immediate, intensive treatment. Chemotherapy, surgery, and a new way of life followed.
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| Van Der Beek kept an active lifestyle leading up to his diagnosis. Guardant Health |
A Rising Trend in Younger Adults
Van Der Beek is far from alone. His story is part of a disturbing trend: rising colon cancer diagnoses in adults under 50. Once considered a disease primarily affecting older adults, colorectal cancer is now becoming alarmingly common in younger populations. And unlike the classic cases that often come with clear warning signs, many of the new diagnoses like Van Der Beek’s are preceded by vague or mild symptoms that are easy to overlook.
According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is now the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., and early-onset cases are increasing. This shift in demographics prompted the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to lower the recommended screening age from 50 to 45 in 2021.
Van Der Beek admits he didn’t know the guidelines had changed. He moved with his family from Los Angeles to Austin in 2020, and while settling into a new life with six children and a new healthcare setup, a routine colonoscopy wasn’t top of mind even though he had turned 45, the new age for first-time screenings.
The Psychological Shock of a Late Diagnosis
Being told you have cancer is devastating at any age. But for someone like Van Der Beek, who had built his identity around family, health, and productivity, the diagnosis was particularly jarring.
“It really took a while to set in,” he said. “All these beautiful things that I love, and I used to define myself as a father, a provider, a husband all that got taken away, or at least paused.”
The treatments began, and so did the identity crisis. “My lowest point,” he admitted, “was feeling like I was losing core parts of who I am.”
Stage 3 colon cancer typically requires a combination of surgery and chemotherapy, often followed by ongoing surveillance. For Van Der Beek, the treatment didn’t just rob him of energy it demanded complete reorganization of his life. He found himself managing a full-time job just to keep up with medical portals, appointments, medication, supplements, and tests.
“I don’t know how anyone does this alone,” he said, reflecting on the help he eventually accepted from friends. For someone who had always prided himself on being independent and self-reliant, asking for help was one of the hardest but most healing things he’s ever done.
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| Van Der Beek on "The Masked Singer" with his family in 2024. FOX/FOX Image Collection via Getty Images |
Coming Forward and Turning Pain into Purpose
Van Der Beek chose to keep his diagnosis private for over a year while he processed what it meant for him and his family. It wasn’t until late 2024 that he shared the news publicly first by participating in The Real Full Monty, a televised special in which male celebrities strip to raise awareness for cancer screenings.
“It was so life-affirming to see the immediate support and the empathy and just the energy that I got back from it,” he said. “When you push past what’s uncomfortable and get to the other side of fear, there’s always a reward.”
Van Der Beek’s relationship with fame has changed. Once wary of the spotlight, he now sees his platform as a gift. “Now I get people telling me they’re praying for me all over the place, and I really feel like it helps. I am grateful for it,” he said. “It connects me to so many people I otherwise would never get to connect with.”
Screening Saves Lives: And It’s Getting Easier
One of the reasons Van Der Beek has become a public advocate is to encourage early and accessible screening. While colonoscopy remains the gold standard for detection and prevention since doctors can remove precancerous polyps during the procedure it’s not the only option anymore.
In 2024, the FDA approved a new non-invasive blood test for colorectal cancer detection called Shield, developed by Guardant Health. Van Der Beek is now a spokesperson for the company, promoting the test as a simpler option that could remove barriers for people who avoid colonoscopies due to cost, fear, or time constraints.
“For people in jobs where they can’t take time off work, it can be a challenge,” he said. “I did not find a colonoscopy all that pleasant.”
Tests like Shield, Cologuard, and FIT offer accessible first steps for those who may not feel ready for a colonoscopy. While they don’t replace the thoroughness of a scope, they can serve as crucial early indicators especially for average-risk patients.
Van Der Beek hopes these tools will push people to act earlier. “Don’t let my ‘could haves’ become yours,” he said. “That’s my biggest message.”
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| Van Der Beek is promoting Guardant Health's Shield blood test for colon cancer detection. Guardant Health |
Finding Meaning in the Unknown
Facing a serious illness forced Van Der Beek to ask hard questions about life, legacy, and purpose. In one of his most reflective moments, he asked himself: “What’s the best thing that could come from this?”
That mindset has been key to his emotional resilience. Through his advocacy, his openness, and his courage to turn pain into purpose, he hopes to save others from facing the same road at least not unknowingly.
“I’ve learned a lot,” he said. “If I can save anyone from having to go through this, that’s magic.”
Van Der Beek isn’t naïve. He knows his cancer journey is likely a lifelong one. But it’s one he’s walking with humility, strength, and a mission to make a difference.
Health Doesn’t Mean Immunity
James Van Der Beek’s story is a powerful reminder that even the healthiest among us are not immune to illness. Cancer doesn’t care if you eat organic, lift weights, or biohack your body. It hides in plain sight. It waits. It challenges everything you think you know about health and identity.
But his journey is also a message of hope hope that early detection matters, that talking about uncomfortable topics can save lives, and that no one should walk the road of cancer alone.
So if you’re 45 or older, get screened. If you have unusual symptoms, speak up. Your life may depend on it.
As Van Der Beek now tells the world: “Let my could-haves become your action.”
