James Van Der Beek revealed on November 3 that he was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer at the age of 46. Now, the actor is opening up about his health journey in hopes of raising awareness about a disease that’s becoming increasingly common in otherwise healthy adults under 55. .

“That’s one of the reasons I want to talk about it and THE which is why I talk about it so openly,” Van Der Beek, 47, tells PEOPLE in this week’s cover story.

“I’ve been dealing with this pretty much in secret for a while, and in the past I’ve found it helpful and cathartic to share things publicly,” says the actor, who lives on a Texas ranch with him. wife Kimberly, 42, and their six children Olivia, 14, Joshua, 12, Annabel, 10, Emilia, 8, Gwen, 6, and Jeremiah, 3.

“And I found a lot of support that way. But more than that, I really wanted to raise awareness”.

According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 5 new colorectal cancer diagnoses are among people under 55, up from 1 in 10 in 1995.

Van Der Beek says he had no reason to suspect that he would face such a frightening diagnosis at this stage in his life. She had no family history of cancer and took care of her body through exercise and diet.

“I have always associated cancer with age and an unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle. But I was in amazing cardiovascular shape. I tried to eat healthy – or as I knew it at the time.”

But in the summer of 2023, he noticed changes in his bowel movements. He assumed his diet was to blame.

“I thought maybe I should stop the coffee,” he says. “Or maybe don’t put cream in your coffee. But when I gave it up and it didn’t get better, I thought, “Okay, I’d better check this out.”

Following the colonoscopy, he was not concerned. “It felt really good coming out of anesthesia that we finally did it,” he says. “Then the gastroenterologist said – in his nicest bedside manner – that it was cancer. I think I went into shock.”

Van Der Beek practiced treatments, which usually included surgery and chemotherapy. And while he doesn’t want to share specifics about his medical regimen just yet, he says, “If you’ve heard about it, I’ve probably touched it.”

“This was a crash course in mastery of mind, body and spirit,” he explains. “I thought, ‘This is either going to get me out of my body or teach me how to really live in it.’

While he tries to stay positive, he admits it can be hard at times.

“The most difficult part is that there are so many unknowns with cancer,” he says. “You think, ‘How do I fix this?’ Does this cure me? Does this hurt? Does this work? Is he coming back? As someone who likes answers, not knowing is one of the hardest things.”

As for the current state of health, he does not want to talk about the stages of recovery or remission. But he says he’s fine.

“I am very cautiously optimistic. I am in a place of healing, my energy levels are great. When I’ve been completely out of the woods for what I feel is a responsible amount of time, I’ll come back and let you know.”

He adds, “I have a lot to live for.”

For more on James Van Der Beek’s cancer journey, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE on stands Monday