James Van Der Beek gets candid about cancer diagnosis: ‘Felt like a nightmare'

James Van Der Beek recently opened up about the realities of facing diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

The 47-year-old actor in an interview with Good Morning America admitted that his cancer “felt like a nightmare”.

“Physically, I'm great. I’m feeling really good," James shared, adding, "Emotionally, you know, it's a lot. It's really a ride.”

The Dawson's Creek actor then shared that he was initially “in shock” after the diagnosis.

“I had a whole agenda for what I thought my year would be and what I thought my priorities would be,” the Bad Hair actor recalled.

He further said, “The reality that all of that was going to change and take a different trajectory - it felt like a nightmare honestly at first.”

However, the What Would Diplo Do? actor expressed that he is thankful that his cancer was spotted because he'd got a good chance at making a recovery.

“I'm going to make changes that I never would have made otherwise, that I'm gonna look back on 30 years and say: ‘Thank God this happened (sic),” the actor maintained.

His interview comes five days after James shared an insight from Thanksgiving holiday on Instagram.

James penned, “It’s been a tough year … and I’m thankful for all of it. For the giant life re-direct cancer has placed in my path.”

"I’m grateful for this new relationship I have to my body, and what I feed it,” the actor wrote.

The actor concluded the post, saying, “I’m grateful to each and every one of you who has reached out and sent good vibes and prayers. It all lands and makes a difference.”