James Van Der Beek lived with colorectal cancer for a little under two and a half years from diagnosis to his passing.

Quick Scoop: How long did he fight cancer?

  • James Van Der Beek was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in late summer 2023 (most reports place the diagnosis in August 2023).
  • He kept the diagnosis private for over a year, only revealing it publicly in November 2024.
  • He continued undergoing treatment and sharing updates through 2025, including TV interviews and charity efforts.
  • He died on February 11, 2026, at age 48, with reports noting it was a “years‑long” or “just under two and a half years” battle with colorectal cancer.

So, if you’re asking “how long did James Van Der Beek fight cancer?” , the timeline is:

  1. Diagnosis: Around August 2023.
  1. Public reveal: November 2024.
  1. Ongoing treatment and advocacy: Through 2024–2025, including media appearances and fundraising auctions.
  1. Passing: February 11, 2026.

That means his cancer fight lasted approximately 2 years and 5–6 months from diagnosis to his death.

Mini sections

What kind of cancer did he have?

  • He was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal (colon) cancer.
  • He described himself as feeling healthy and active before the diagnosis, underscoring how colorectal cancer can develop with few obvious symptoms.

How did he handle it publicly?

  • He initially chose to deal with the illness privately with his family, only going public once he felt ready and wanted to raise awareness.
  • In interviews, he talked about being open and age‑appropriate with his six children, emphasizing honesty and togetherness during his treatment.
  • He also used his platform to encourage regular screening, telling people not to wait for symptoms before talking to a doctor.

Fundraising and awareness

  • In 2025 he helped raise tens of thousands of dollars for colorectal cancer causes, including auctioning memorabilia from “Dawson’s Creek” and “Varsity Blues” to help with treatment costs and support awareness.
  • Coverage described his advocacy as a way of turning a deeply personal struggle into something that might help others catch cancer earlier and feel less alone.

Context: why this is trending now

  • His death on February 11, 2026 prompted a wave of tributes from fans and co‑stars, pushing his cancer journey back into the spotlight across news outlets and forums.
  • Discussions now often focus on how long he quietly fought the disease, how late he chose to reveal it, and what his story says about men’s health and cancer screening.

TL;DR: James Van Der Beek’s colorectal cancer fight lasted just under two and a half years—from his diagnosis in mid‑2023 to his death in February 2026—much of it carried privately before he spoke about it publicly.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.