James Van Der Beek Cherishes Family Moments ‘More Deeply’ Amid Cancer Battle: ‘So Many Ups and Downs’

James Van Der Beek revealed that he is focusing on the positive while battling colorectal cancer two years after his stage 3 diagnosis.

“I’m feeling great. Today, I’m feeling great, yeah. It’s been a journey,” the former Dawson’s Creek actor, 48, shared during the 3rd Hour of Today on Wednesday, July 30. “There are just so many ups and downs and so many unknowns. Cancer is, I call it a full-time job.”

These days, the dad of six divulged that he takes things “a little bit more slowly” and cherishes the mundane moments with his family “a lot more deeply.”

“The little arms going around your neck when you’re helping them put the pants on… just a sunset even,” he said. “Really just taking the time to appreciate every single moment. I think that’s been the biggest thing.”

Van Der Beek admitted that he’s learned to let others “show up” for him and to accept their help — something he hadn’t allowed before because he was “trying to be Superman.”

The Varsity Blues star — who shares kids Olivia, 14, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 11, Emilia, 9, Gwendolyn, 7, and 3-year-old Jeremiah with wife Kimberly — said they made a conscious decision to be honest with their children about his health battle.

Van Der Beek and his longtime love, 43, first crossed paths in July 2009 in Israel and exchanged their vows in August 2010 before expanding their family.

“I’m far from an expert, but our approach was just be as honest as possible, as honest to the degree of their understanding, right?” he explained. “Because they know.”

“They can sense that dad’s having a tough day. They know if dad’s in pain. They know, and so by not telling them I think you’re confusing them even more,” the former Dancing with the Stars contestant continued. “And just allow yourself to be surprised by their resiliency.”

“When you tell them what you’re doing, and you tell them the approach, they can see it and they can feel it, and I think it’s also your journey is their journey,” he pointed out. “Don’t rob them of the opportunity for them to show up for you, emotionally.”

Van Der Beek revealed that his kids have been so helpful while navigating his illness, noting that it is heartwarming to witness.

“I have kids making me tea. ‘Dad, what do you need?’ There’s been a lot of beauty that’s come out of it, but I would love to save everybody this journey, which is why I’m saying get screened.”

During his on-camera interview, Van Der Beek admitted that no red flags stood out to him when asked if there had been any warning signs — advising others to prioritize early detection.

“Talk to your doctor,” he urged viewers. “Get checked because you don’t have to have symptoms to have a positive diagnosis.”