CNN
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James Van Der Beek talks about a battle for health.

the “Dawson's Creek” alum told People magazine in a opinion announced on Sunday that he had colon cancer.

“I have dealt with this diagnosis privately and, with the support of my incredible family, have taken steps to resolve it,” his statement said.

Van Der Beek, 47, added: “There is reason for optimism and I feel good.”

CNN has reached out to a representative for Van Der Beek for comment.

According to the American Cancer Society, about one in 23 men and one in 25 women in the United States will be diagnosed with colon cancer during their lifetime.

Van Der Beek did not provide any further details about his treatment and did not address his diagnosis on social media.

Van Der Beek has six children with his wife Kimberly. He recently shared photos of his family celebrating Halloween on Instagram.

“My six year old was devastated that her angel costume didn't arrive in time for trick-or-treating,” he wrote in the caption. “She was given the project to make her own halo, which she worked on for HOURS – by wrapping yellow yarn around a garden wire.”

After his daughter completed the halo, he wrote, “The look of pride on her face when she saw the final project in the mirror was for me…my favorite moment of Halloween.”

The actor is best known for his title role in the teen drama “Dawson's Creek,” which ran from 1998 to 2003. He recently guest-starred in an episode of “Walker” and will appear in the Tubi film “Sidelined: The QB and Me” later this month.