In a resurfaced November 2024 interview, James Van Der Beek urged fans not to ignore one colorectal cancer symptom. He said his stage III colorectal cancer started with "a change in bowel habits," which he first brushed off. He tried diet tweaks like cutting coffee and cream but said his symptoms didn't improve. Van Der Beek said he finally got it checked and recalled a routine colonoscopy in August 2023. As he came out of anesthesia, he said a gastroenterologist told him, "It is cancer."
