James Van Der Beek had to reveal his cancer diagnosis early

James Van Der Beek suffers from colon cancer.

The actor, best known for his starring roles in “Dawson's Creek” and “Varsity Blues,” shared the news in a statement to People magazine over the weekend, but later admitted he was still waiting to make his diagnosis public wanted to wait.

In an Instagram post, Van Der Beek wrote: “'It's cancer…' Every year around 2 billion people around the world receive this diagnosis. And I’m one of them.”

JAMES VAN DER BEEK SAYS MOVING FROM LOS ANGELES TO AUSTIN WAS “GROUNDING” FOR HIS FAMILY

James Van Der Beek announced that he has been diagnosed with colon cancer. (Michael Buckner/Deadline/Penske Media via Getty Images)

He continued: “There's no guidebook on how to announce these things, but I had planned to speak at length with People magazine about it sometime soon…to raise awareness and tell my story on my own terms.” But that plan had to change early this morning when I was informed that a tabloid would be published with the news.

So far, he explained that he has been “dealing with it privately” and has focused on “getting treatment and managing my overall health with more focus than ever before.”

James Van Der Beek and his wife Kimberly share six children. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for WarnerMedia and AT&T)

He also shared, “I'm doing well and feeling strong. It was quite an initiation and I will tell you more when I am ready.”

Van Der Beek then took a moment to apologize to people he knows personally who had to find out about his diagnosis through the media, noting: “On my preferred timeline, nothing has happened on this process… But we're doing it further, taking every surprise as a signpost pointing us to a greater destiny than we would have discovered without divine intervention.”

He thanked his followers for their love and support and said that “there is more to come.”

His wife of 14 years, Kimberly, commented on his post, “I love you baby” and added a heart emoji.

A photo of James Van Der Beek and his wife Kimberly

James Van Der Beek has been married to his wife Kimberly since 2010. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for A24)

The father of six said in his original statement to People: “I have colon cancer. I have grappled with this diagnosis privately and taken steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family.”

He added: “There is reason for optimism and I feel good.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, “many treatments can help control colorectal cancer,” including “surgery, radiation therapy, and medications such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.” People with an average risk of cancer are recommended to start screening at age 45.

This year, Van Der Beek, 47, received an acting credit for his appearance in a June episode of “Walker.” A film called “Sidelined The QB and Me” premieres on Tubi later this month.

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Cast of "Dawson's Creek." (Season 3) Clockwise from top left: James Van Der Beek, Joshua Jackson, Katie Holmes and Michelle Williams.

James Van Der Beek (above) is best known for his starring roles in Dawson's Creek alongside Michelle Williams (left), Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson. (Columbia/TriStar International Television. A Sony Pictures Entertainment company.)

He's scheduled to appear in a Fox special called “The Real Full Monty” in December. In the special, he will join actors Taye Diggs, Tyler Posey and Anthony Anderson, as well as Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones and “Dancing with the Stars” judge Bruno Toniolo, “to raise awareness of prostate and prostate cancer.” testicular diseases.” and colon cancer testing and research.

He first announced his involvement in the special in May, months before revealing his personal battle with the disease.

James Van Der Beek and his family moved from Los Angeles to Austin in 2020. (James Van Der Beek)

Last week, Diggs spoke to People about the special, saying that when the cast got together, “they really started talking about these topics, everyone started opening up, and we got to know each other on a different level.”

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He said: “That shaped the performance. Instead of it being this cute striptease with all these middle-aged men, it meant something.”