Dawson’s Creek actor James Van Der Beek, who promoted AstraZeneca’s flu vaccine, has revealed he has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

“I have colorectal cancer. I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family,” said Van Der Beek in a statement. “There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good,” he added.

In 2014, James Van Der Beek appeared in numerous TV interviews across the U.S., promoting AstraZeneca’s flu vaccine and urging people to get vaccinated.

During one interview, he dismissed concerns about vaccine side effects, stating that “getting sick” from vaccines was simply a “myth.”

Van Der Beek also engaged in fear-mongering, trying to convince parents to vaccinated their young children with the flu shot every year.

“The flu was responsible for more childhood hospitalizations than any other vaccine-preventable disease. It’s not just the elderly it affects. It affects entire families and entire communities.”

In a statement posted to his Instagram page Sunday, Van Der Beek shared that he’s been “getting treatment and dialing in my overall health with greater focus than ever before.”

Colorectal cancer, per the American Cancer Society, starts in the colon or the rectum, which make up the large intestine in the digestive system.

In the US, about 1 in 23 men and 1 in 25 women will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society.

However, in recent years, colorectal cancer cases in the US and Western world have skyrocketed, with many experts linking the explosion in cases to the 2021 vaccine rollout.

Van Der Beek is best known for playing the title role on popular teen series Dawson’s Creek, which ran from 1998 to 2003.

He continues to work despite his diagnosis, and most recently had guest appearances on an episode of Walker. He is also set to appear in the Tubi original movie “Sidelined: The QB and Me” later this year.