In a birthday message, James Van Der Beek shared how his battle with colorectal cancer affected his wife and kids as he "had to look my own mortality in the eye."

I had to come nose to nose with death,” says the actor, who shared his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnoses last November. James Van Der Beek is opening up about the “hardest year” of his life. In a recent Instagram video,

James Van Der Beek reflected on the impact his cancer diagnosis has had on his marriage and his family. “It has been the hardest year of my life, and I wanted to share something that I learned with y’all,” the “Dawson’s Creek” alum began in a recent video on Instagram, in which he celebrated his 48th birthday.

James Van Der Beek has reflected on how tough the past year has been after he was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer The actor, 48, shared how his health battle caused him to question his worth and place and described how his cancer has impacted his wife and family via a recent Instagram video.

"And the same is true for you," Van Der Beek said as he acknowledged the prayers and support he's received since his diagnosis. He concluded by telling fans their mantra can simply be, "'I am worthy of love.' Because you are."

James Van Der Beek has recently opened up about how his fight with cancer transformed his marriage, family life, and identity. He was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer. In an emotional Instagram video celebrating his 48th birthday,

James Van Der Beek says he has had the "hardest year of my life" since being diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2024.