James Van Der Beek Shares the One Way He Can Escape His Cancer Battle

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James Van Der Beek is getting candid about working amid his cancer journey.

Actor from Dawson’s Creek reveals that working on the Legally Blonde prequel series Elle has brought him solace as he copes with stage 3 colorectal cancer.

James shared in an interview with Today on July 30 that the best aspect of work is there’s no cancer (or problems) between when you start working and finish a project. He added that it was enjoyable to join the team because they have an outstanding cast, production, and everyone involved is incredibly skilled.

48-year-old James doesn’t perceive being on-set as work; rather, he views his cancer battle, which he was diagnosed with in 2023 and announced publicly in 2024, as his primary occupation. He has to make an effort to proceed at a slower pace and prioritize rest, treating this struggle as his job.

In his opinion, this new perspective is something he’ll need to bear with him forever, being a former student at Varsity Blues and sharing children Olivia (14), Joshua (13), Annabel (11), Emilia (9), Gwendolyn (7), and Jeremiah (3) with his wife Kimberly.

He expressed that he’s currently on a long-term trip, and he considers it an ongoing experience that may continue throughout his lifetime.

During these challenging times, I’ve been fortunate enough to lean on the unwavering support of my dear friends and former co-stars from “Dawson’s Creek.” People like Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, Michelle Williams, and Busy Philipps have been an integral part of my journey, offering their love and encouragement when I needed it most.

In the process of discussing when they could meet up, Busy conveyed how significant it was for them to “catch sight and sound of James” as he carries on with his struggle.

In an interview with “Us Weekly” in March, she expressed that they’ve been sending him their very best wishes, hopes, and prayers.

For more celebs on their cancer battles, read on.

In January 2025, the former star of “All My Children” disclosed that he had received a prostate cancer diagnosis, marking his third cancer battle during his lifetime.

In a surprising turn of events, he declared once more in February 2025 that he had overcome cancer, thanks to a successful operation and therapies.

In his Instagram post from February 2025, he emphasized that individuals should not let their struggles define them. Instead, they are more than these hardships. He shared that he doesn’t identify with his fears, anxieties, or scars but accepts them all because the key to overcoming them is acknowledging and embracing them.

In December of 2024, the previous star of “The Golden Bachelor” announced that he had been diagnosed with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, which is actually not a bone cancer but rather a type of cancer that affects the plasma cells in the bone marrow.

Gerry expressed that there is currently no solution to this condition, which affects all his choices. He felt as if a massive weight had been placed upon him, and he struggled with accepting it initially.

On February 3, 2023, the actor, recognized for his work in ‘The Boys’ and ‘Supernatural’, announced that he had been fighting prostate cancer for some time but is now cancer-free.

2018 saw the Vanderpump Rules star disclose that a small amount of cancer was surgically taken from their body, and lymph node biopsies were conducted as well. Now, they are cancer-free!

The actress from “Desperate Housewives” disclosed to her followers in September 2018 that she had successfully battled anal cancer. On Instagram, she expressed her feelings by saying, “After sharing a picture of myself here along with the hashtags #cancer and #hairloss, I feel liberated, exhilarated, and truly myself.

The two-time Academy Award recipient has successfully battled cancer, and his representative informed TopMob News that the doctors have declared Hoffman to be in a state of “complete surgical remission.

In 2014, the actor from the X-Men series underwent treatment for his third case of basal cell carcinoma. Following his third round of treatment, Jackman’s representative informed TopMob News that he is currently in good health.

In April 2023, Hugh underwent two biopsies due to further instances of basal cell carcinoma. During this time, he shared a message with his followers, “Let me seize this moment to gently remind you that summer is approaching for those in the northern hemisphere. Please remember to apply sunscreen.

Previously on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” the show’s former cast member marked a significant milestone in January – one year since she was declared free from cancer. As a mother of two, she had been battling endometrial cancer since 2013 and underwent a comprehensive hysterectomy to fight the disease.

Then in 2017, Camille had surgery to remove Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. 

In a moving turn of events, the star who played in “Avengers: Age of Ultron” faced ovarian cancer at just 25 years old. Defying all expectations, she went on to have two beautiful children with her spouse, Taran Killam.

The television presenter disclosed that he had a prostate cancer operation back in July 2013, and ever since then, he’s received a medical all-clear.

The host of Dancing with the Stars had a successful operation to treat thyroid cancer, and she shared on Twitter, “Thank you for your kind messages. I’m at home now, recuperating and taking it easy.

The actress shared on Twitter, “My doctor called me on a Saturday morning to tell me I’m cancer-free!!! Hooray!!!

The star of the show Up All Night received a clean bill of health regarding breast cancer, following her treatment and undergoing a double mastectomy. This means she was found to be completely free from the disease.

The Dexter star used a hiatus from his hit series to slay Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

In October 2011, an Australian actress disclosed that she had a potentially dangerous mole on her calf surgically removed, following her husband’s insistence for her to have the unusual spot examined.

I, a dedicated admirer, am thrilled to share that my idol, the Scot, is currently thriving and back on track after undergoing a necessary procedure to remove a suspicious-looking mole found below his right eye.

The singer beat breast cancer in 2004 with a “minimally invasive” lumpectomy and radiation therapy.

The Oscar winner declared in early 2011 that his tumor was gone and he had throat cancer “beat.”

The Emmy winner whacked breast cancer in 2004.

Certainly, the longtime CNN broadcaster now consistently applies sunscreen before venturing outdoors, a precautionary measure taken since he had a skin cancer lesion excised from beneath his left eye in 2008.

The Australian pop star underwent successful surgery for breast cancer in 2005.

Actress from the show “7th Heaven” received a diagnosis of Hodgkin’s disease at age 28. Now, at 50, she appears to be in great shape!

In 2009, the actress playing the ER character had to step away from Parenthood due to battling breast cancer. Fortunately, her medical journey proved victorious, and she swiftly returned to grace the red carpet once more.

The judge on America’s Got Talent received a diagnosis of colon cancer during filming for The Osbournes in 2002, and she seized this moment to emphasize the significance of routine checkups while bravely facing chemotherapy treatment. She was pronounced cancer-free the next year.

In 2003, the Oscar-winning actor successfully battled prostate cancer, and since then, he’s appeared in approximately 400 films.

In the year 2007, one of the co-hosts on Good Morning America confidently displayed her bald head as she went through chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer, showing strength and courage.

The victorious bike racer overcame stage-four testicular cancer and then went on to win seven consecutive Tour de France races.

After successfully overcoming breast cancer in 2005 through a lumpectomy and chemotherapy, the award-winning artist transformed into a motivational activist.

In a humorous twist, the renowned performer from Saturday Night Live drew inspiration from her personal experience with breast cancer, which later became the critically acclaimed one-woman show titled God Said Ha!, eventually making its way to Broadway.

In 2006, a star from “Sex and the City” received a breast cancer diagnosis. Following surgeries and radiation therapies, she was declared cancer-free.

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2025-08-02 00:17