James Van Der Beek has revealed the one simple yet easily overlooked symptom that marked the start of his colorectal cancer diagnosis.
The 48-year-old actor, known for his role in Dawson's Creek, was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in November 2024.
Reflecting on his diagnosis, Van Der Beek shared that there were no major warning signs, but he did notice a change in his bowel movements - a symptom he initially attributed to his coffee consumption.
“I was healthy. I was doing the cold plunge. I was in amazing cardiovascular shape, and I had stage 3 cancer, and I had no idea,” Van Der Beek told Healthline.
Van Der Beek admitted that before his diagnosis, he didn’t know much about colorectal cancer and was unaware that the screening age had dropped to 45. “I thought it was still 50,” he added.
It wasn’t until he underwent a colonoscopy that doctors discovered the cancer.
Professor Eitan Friedman, M.D., Ph.D., an oncologist, explained that changes in bowel habits are often the primary red flag for colorectal cancer.
Other symptoms can include fatigue, blood in the stool, weight loss, loss of appetite, and abdominal discomfort. Dr. Erica Barnell, M.D., Ph.D., a physician-scientist, echoed the point, noting that many colorectal cancers develop without obvious symptoms, making early detection difficult.
For the One Tree Hill star, the change in his bowel movements seemed minor, but it was an important sign that led to his diagnosis.
He is now urging others to pay attention to their health and get screened, especially those aged 45 and older. “Screening gives us the chance to find problems early, often before you feel sick, and that can make all the difference,” Barnell added, per Fox News.
Despite the challenges of his diagnosis, Van Der Beek has faced the journey with resilience. He has made lifestyle changes to support his recovery, including adopting a keto diet, practicing yoga, and prioritizing rest.
“I’ve been finding the beauty of just taking things a little bit more slowly and prioritizing rest and really allowing that to be the job,” he explained, per Today.
Van Der Beek has also been open about how the diagnosis has reshaped his role as a father to his six children: Olivia, 14; Joshua, 13; Annabel, 11; Emilia, nine; Gwendolyn, six; and Jeremiah, two.
He has shared how his kids have stepped into caretaking roles, surprising him with their resilience. “When you tell them what you’re doing, and you tell them the approach, they can see it, and they can feel it,” Van Der Beek said. “Your journey is their journey.”
While he has had to make sacrifices, such as being unable to work or take care of his children as he normally would, he says the support from his family has been his greatest strength.
“There’s been a lot of beauty that’s come out of it,” he said, referring to the moments of tenderness when his kids made him tea or supported him through tough days.
As he continues to navigate treatment, Van Der Beek has remained active in his career, recently finishing production on Elle, a Legally Blonde prequel set to debut in 2026.
"The greatest thing about work is cancer doesn’t exist between action and cut,” he said, highlighting the joy he finds in his professional life.