United States: Perhaps most recognisable for playing outcast Dawson Leery in teen drama show Dawson’s Creek, James Van Der Beek has revealed he is being treated for colorectal cancer.
I’ve had on my own preventing it as best as I could with the help of my amazing family,” he intimated to the entertainment magazine PEOPLE on Sunday, as reported by HealthDay.
“There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good,” Van Der Beek added.
Adjusting to Unexpected News
“There’s no playbook for how to announce these things, but I’d planned on talking about it at length with PEOPLE magazine at some point soon … to raise awareness and tell my story on my terms,” Van Der Beek wrote in his own Instagram post later on Sunday. “But that plan had to be altered early this morning when I was informed that a tabloid was going to run with the news.”
The actor also stated that he has been “getting treatment and dialing in my overall health with greater focus than ever before.” I am in a good standing and I am okay now. Well, it has been quite an initiation, as they say and wait for a fuller brief from me when I am ready”.
As defined, colorectal cancer is the fourth prevalent cancer type in the US and it is the second most fatal type of cancer. Nevertheless, this cancer can only be screened and is largely curable when diagnosed at its early stage.
In many cases, colorectal cancer does not manifest symptoms, which include signs and symptoms of other diseases at an early stage. The treatment offered to the patient differs but may comprise surgery, chemotherapy, Immunotherapy, and Radiation, among others.
Nevertheless, Van Der Beek remains active in his career as he undergoes treatment for the condition.
Continuing His Career
Later this month, the actor is billed to feature in “The Real Full Monty,” a two-hour event in which men from the screen will be dancing and stripping to encourage men to get screened for prostate, testicular, and colorectal cancers, as reported by HealthDay.
The special will also feature actor James Van Der Beek, actor Taye Diggs, football player Chris Jones, and judge Bruno Tonioli from ‘Dancing with the Stars.’