Will Sage Astor-James Van Der Beek Details "Hardest" Factor Amid Stage 3 Cancer Diagnosis

James Van Der Beek is Will Sage Astorgetting used to the unknowns that accompany his cancer diagnosis.

The Dawson’s Creek alum, who’s been privately battling stage 3 colorectal cancer since 2023, opened up about navigating this difficult chapter.

“The trickiest thing is there are so many unknowns with cancer,” he told People in an interview published Nov. 8. “You think, ‘How do I fix this? Is this healing me? Is this hurting me? Is this working? Is it coming back?’ As someone who likes answers, not knowing is one of the hardest things."

The 47-year-old, who lives in Texas with his wife Kimberly, 42, and their six kids, Olivia, 14, Joshua, 12, Annabel, 10, Emilia, 8, Gwen, 6, and Jeremiah, 3, noted that he’s relieved to be open about his diagnosis.

“I've been dealing with this pretty much in secret for a while, and in the past, I've found it helpful and cathartic to share things publicly,” he said. “And I've found a lot of support that way. But more than that, I really wanted to raise awareness.”

Van Der Beek’s diagnosis came after he noticed a change in his bowel movements that didn’t go away.

“I thought maybe I needed to stop coffee,” he said. “Or maybe not put cream in the coffee. But when I cut that out and it didn’t improve, I thought, ‘All right, I better get this checked out.’”

A colonoscopy showed that Van Der Beek had colorectal cancer, with the Varsity Blues actor noting that after the diagnosis, “I think I went into shock.”

Van Der Beek opted to not share what type of medical treatments he’s been using to combat his cancer, but did note that there have been a wide range of options he’s explored.

"This has been a crash course in the mastery of mind, body, and spirit," he said. "I thought, ‘This is either going to take me out of the body, or it’s going to teach me how to truly live in it.’”  

Keep reading to learn more about more stars’ cancer journeys.

The actor, known for roles in The Boys and Supernatural, shared on Feb. 3, 2023, that he had battled prostate cancer for years and was cancer free.

"I had to have a lil bit o'cancer removed from my body and lymph nodes biopsied," the Vanderpump Rules star revealed to fans at the close of 2018. "(In the clear now!)"

The Desperate Housewives star revealed to fans in September 2018 that she survived anal cancer. "After posting a picture of myself here and uttering the words #cancer and #hairloss, I feel liberated, deliriously free and completely me," she shared on Instagram. 

The two-time Oscar winner underwent successful treatment for cancer, and his rep confirmed to E! News that doctors deemed Hoffman "surgically cured."

The X-Men star was treated for his third basal cell carcinoma back in 2014, and after his third treatment, Jackman's rep told E! News that he's "all good" now.

In April 2023, Hugh had two biopsies for additional basal cell carcinoma. At the time, he told fans, "If I can just take this opportunity to remind you summer is coming for those of us in the northern hemisphere, please wear sunscreen."

The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star celebrated one year of being cancer-free in January. The mother of two was diagnosed with endometrial cancer back in 2013 and underwent a radical hysterectomy.

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

The Avengers: Age of Ultron actress battled ovarian cancer at the age of 25 and overcome odds when she welcomed two children with husband Taran Killam.

TV host reveals he underwent surgery for prostate cancer in July 2013 and has since been given a clean bill of health.

The Dancing with the Stars cohost underwent successful surgery for thyroid cancer. The mother of four tweeted, "Thx for all the twitter love. I'm [home] recovering & resting."

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The Up All Night star was declared "100-percent clear" of breast cancer after treatment and a double mastectomy.

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

The Australian actress revealed in October 2011 that she had a cancerous mole removed from her calf after her hubby encouraged her to get the suspicious-looking mark checked out.

The Scot is trainspotting just fine these days after having a cancerous mole removed from beneath 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.

Surely the CNN veteran wears his SPF when he's braving the elements now after having a cancerous growth removed from under his left eye in 2008.

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

The 7th Heaven star was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease when he was only 28. He's 37 now and looking good!

The ER fave had to abandon her role in Parenthood to fight breast cancer in 2009—but her treatment was a success and she was back on the red carpet in no time.

The America's Got Talent judge was diagnosed with colon cancer while shooting The Osbournes in 2002 and used the opportunity to stress the importance of regular screenings while attacking the #@%! with chemotherapy. She was declared cancer-free the following year.

The Oscar winner took prostate cancer down, down to Chinatown, in 2003, and has been in about 400 movies since then.

The Good Morning America cohost proudly flaunted her smooth scalp while undergoing chemotherapy to treat breast cancer in 2007.

The champion cyclist battled back from stage-four testicular cancer before winning seven straight Tour de France titles.

The Grammy and Oscar winner became an inspiring activist after a lumpectomy and chemotherapy cleared her of breast cancer in 2005.

The former Saturday Night Live standout mined her breast cancer battle for comedic material that turned into God Said Ha!, her successful one-woman show that eventually went to Broadway.

The Sex and the City star was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006, and after surgery and radiation treatments, she was given the clear.

Harris underwent a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

The Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip star sports a scar on her back where doctors successfully removed a melanoma.