Im very cautiously optimistic," the actor says now, more than a year later.
I thought maybe I needed to stop coffee, Van Der Beek told PEOPLE.
Or maybe not put cream in the coffee.
James Van Der Beek in 2020.Michael Buckner/Getty
So he went in for a colonoscopy, and that’s when the truth came out.
I felt really good coming out of anesthesia, that Id finally done it, he said.
Then the gastroenterologist said in his most pleasant bedside manner that it was cancer.
I think I went into shock.
Michael Buckner/Getty
Since the diagnosis, Van Der Beek has been trying different treatments for colorectal cancer.
Typical strategies include chemotherapy and surgery.
Van Der Beek said, if youve heard about it, Ive probably touched on it.
Van Der Beek is on the cover of the latest issue of PEOPLE.
Nothing about this process has occurred on my preferred timeline… Im very cautiously optimistic," he told PEOPLE.
“Im in a place of healing, my energy levels are great.
Read the full interview atPEOPLE.
