James Van Der Beek tries to keep his morale up while fighting stage 3 colorectal cancer.

The “Dawson’s Creek” star opened up about the challenges she faced during her cancer journey.

Van Der Beek, 47, revealed that he had no family history of cancer and said that he had managed to stay fit for most of his life.

JAMES VAN DER BEEK HAD TO ANNOUNCE HIS CANCER DIAGNOSIS AHEAD OF PLANNED

“Dawson’s Creek” actor James Van Der Beek has revealed his cancer diagnosis after keeping his health struggles a secret. (Michael Buckner/Deadline/Penske Media via Getty Images)

“I always associated cancer with age and an unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle. But I was in incredible shape from a cardiovascular standpoint. I tried to eat healthy – or as I knew it at the time,” he said. I told people during a cover interview.

As for the challenges she has faced, she admitted the ups and downs of her difficult health battle.

“The hardest thing is that there are so many unknowns about cancer,” he said. “‘How can I fix this? Does this make me better? Does it hurt? Does this work? Is it coming back?’ “As someone who likes answers, not knowing is one of the hardest things.”

“Then the gastroenterologist, in his nicest bedside manner, told me it was cancer. I think I went into shock.”

—James Van Der Beek

Van Der Beek initially blamed his cancer symptoms on his diet; He first noticed changes in his bowel movements last year.

Van Der Beek, 47, shared the challenges he faced in his fight against colorectal cancer. (Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for WarnerMedia and AT&T)

“I thought maybe I should give up coffee,” he said. “Or I could have left out the creamer in the coffee. But when I stopped that and it wasn’t getting any better, I thought, ‘Well, I’d better check this.'”

He scheduled a colonoscopy and had it after the procedure. actor learned his diagnosis.

“When I came out of the anesthesia I felt really good, I had finally made it,” he continued. “Then the gastroenterologist, in his nicest bedside manner, told me it was cancer. I think I went into shock.”

according to Mayo Clinic“Many treatments can help control colorectal cancer,” including surgery, radiation therapy and drugs such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. People at average risk of cancer are recommended to begin preventive screenings at age 45.

JAMES VAN DER BEEK SAYS MOVING FROM LOS ANGELES TO AUSTIN WAS ‘FUNDAMENTAL’ FOR HIS FAMILY

Van Der Beek and his wife Kimberly have six children. (Michael Kovac/Getty Images for A24)

Since learning of her cancer diagnosis, Van Der Beek was determined to change her diet. The actress admitted that she is quite health conscious and has started reading food labels in stores before shopping.

“I think the country is starting to connect with our food and understand how processed it is and how far it has strayed from the path nature intended,” he said.

“I encourage everyone to do the same, because it’s not a fun process. I think we all have a lot of assumptions that we grow up with about what’s healthy and what’s unhealthy. And I think they all destroy us. It’s good to throw those assumptions away.”

Van Der Beek said that he is aware of the need to cut out processed foods, gluten and dairy products in his diet, uses organic vegetables grown in his garden and exercises regularly.

Van Der Beek and her family moved from Los Angeles to Austin, Texas in 2020. (James Van Der Beek)

Although the “Varsity Blues” star did not share the details of his colon cancer treatment, he opened up about how he continues his journey.

“This has been a crash course in mastering the mind, body and spirit,” he added. “I thought, ‘This will either get me out of the body or teach me how to really live in it.'”

DO YOU LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

During the interview, he gave information about his health condition and how he felt during his cancer treatment.

“I’m very cautiously optimistic. I’m in recovery, my energy levels are great. Once I get completely out of the woods for what feels like a responsible period of time, you know I’ll come back and let it go, I’ve got a lot to live for,” Van Der Beek said.

“I really don’t think this is going to be the end of me,” he explained. “I really feel like this is going to be the biggest redirection in life, and I’m going to make changes that I would never have made otherwise. I’ll look back in a year, or five years, or 30 years from now, and say, ‘Thank God this happened.'”

“Dawson’s Creek” cast (Season 3) Back row: James Van Der Beek. Middle row: Michelle Williams, Joshua Jackson, Meredith Monroe and Kerr Smith. Front row: Katie Holmes. (Getty Images)

Earlier this week, Van Der Beek revealed that he wanted to wait to go public with his diagnosis.

One Instagram postVan Der Beek wrote: “‘This is cancer…’ Nearly 2 billion people worldwide are diagnosed with it every year. I am one of them.”

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

He continued, “There’s no playbook for how to get the word out, but I had planned to speak to People magazine at length about this issue recently… to raise awareness and tell my story on my own terms. But that plan wasn’t until a tabloid published the story early this morning.” “When I got the news, it had to be changed.”

The actor explained that so far he’s been “taking special care of it,” focusing on “getting treatment and keeping a check on my overall health with more focus than ever before.”

In December, Van Der Beek will star in the Fox special “The Real Full Monty,” which aims to raise awareness of colorectal, prostate and testicular cancer. (FOX via Getty Images)

The father of 6 children said in his statement: original expression “I have colorectal cancer. I deal specifically with this diagnosis and, with the support of my incredible family, I am taking steps to address the problem,” she told People.

Van Der Beek earned an acting credit this year when he appeared in a June episode of “Walker.” A new movie, “Sidelined: The QB and Me,” is scheduled to premiere on Tubi later this month. In December, he will appear on a Fox special called “The Real Full Monty,” which will raise awareness of colorectal, prostate and testicular cancer.

CLICK TO REACH THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION

Fox News Digital’s Emily Trainham contributed to this report.