James Van Der Beek is batting colorectal cancer … TMZ has confirmed.
The 47-year-old actor, best known for “Dawson’s Creek” and “One Tree Hill,” was recently diagnosed with the disease — telling People he’s receiving treatment to resolve it.
Van Der Beek says — despite the scary diagnosis — there’s reason to be optimistic. He doesn’t clarify exactly what he means here.
According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer begins in colon or rectum which makes up one’s large intestine.
Its unclear exactly how long Van Der Beek has been battling the disease … but, he is doing his part to help people like him afflicted with it. He’s set to appear in “The Real Full Monty” — a two-hour special where he and other big stars will strip down to raise awareness about certain types of cancer.
James is married to Kimberly Brook and shares 6 kids with her, Olivia, Annabel, Emilia and Gwendolyn, and sons Joshua and Jeremiah.