James Van Der Beek Says Cancer Is a ‘Full-Time Job’

James Van Der Beek is coming to terms with how much work goes into his health since his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis. 

During a Wednesday, July 30, appearance on the third hour of Today, the Dawson’s Creek alum admitted that battling cancer is a full-time job.

“I’m feeling great,” he said. “It’s been a journey. There are just so many ups and downs and so many unknowns. Cancer is – I call it a full-time job.”

Eight months after revealing his cancer diagnosis, the 48-year-old said he has made a number of changes to his lifestyle, like practicing yoga, stretching often and switching to a keto diet. He told the outlet that he’s also now finding “the beauty of just taking things a little bit more slowly and prioritizing rest and really allowing that to be the job.” 

“I’m just on the journey,” he added. “It’s a process. It’ll probably be a process for the rest of my life.” 

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Colon, or colorectal, cancer is the third most common cancer in the world, after lung and breast cancers.

The American Cancer Society recommends that adults 45 and up get regular colon cancer screenings, either stool analyses or colonoscopies. And they urge people with symptoms of colon cancer — such as a change in bowel movements, like increased diarrhea; rectal bleeding; dark stools; unexpected weight loss; cramping and excess fatigue — to get checked out by a doctor.

However, they emphasize the need for preventive screenings, as these symptoms typically only appear after colon cancer has already spread.

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Van Der Beek stressed the importance of early detection and staying on top of routine screenings, admitting that he should’ve done so earlier. 

“I got screened at 46,” the actor said. “I didn’t realize they had dropped it to 45. I thought I was way ahead of the game.”

“Even just the slightest little change, it could be something, but … don’t think that not having symptoms means you don’t have to get screened, especially for something that is this curable when caught early,” he continued. “That’s really what I want to get across.”

“I ate as well as I could. I was healthy. I was in amazing cardiovascular shape,” he added. “There was no reason in my mind that I should have gotten a positive diagnosis.”

While speaking about his health journey to PEOPLE in November 2024, Van Der Beek said he was feeling good about his journey and offered  advice for others going through something similar.

“Miracles do happen — and they happen all the time,” he said. “It’s scary at the onset. It’s overwhelming. Go easy on yourself. You got this.”

“I’ve really been so blessed with my wife [Kimberly Van Der Beek] and kids,” he added. “I’ve got a lot to live for, and it’s a beautiful life.”