“‘We Caught It Just in Time’: Mary-Margaret Humes Reveals Secret Colon Cancer Fight, Urges Early Screening Ahead of Dawson’s Creek Reunion”
Beloved Dawson’s Creek cast member Mary-Margaret Humes has quietly shared a deeply personal chapter from her past: in 2007, she was diagnosed with colon cancer. In a recent interview with Us Weekly, Humes revealed that the diagnosis came just before the disease could break past a critical boundary — an early detection that, in her words, meant “dodging a bullet.”
🕰️ A Secret Kept for Years
Humes, now 71, says she kept the diagnosis private for nearly two decades. “It was just about ready to break out of the wall,” she told Us Weekly. Because of regular screenings, doctors caught it early enough to prevent what could have been a much worse outcome. She hasn’t shared many details about treatment or the recovery process, but the message is one of gratitude and survival.
🤝 Deepening Bonds Through Shared Struggles
The timing of her revelation comes in part because of her close connection to former Dawson’s Creek costar James Van Der Beek, who was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in 2023. Humes describes several “uplifting and spiritual” conversations with Van Der Beek following his diagnosis. She says they’ve become closer through this shared understanding, and she is fully supportive of him.
🔍 Why Early Screening Matters
Humes is using her story to highlight the importance of cancer screenings. She told Us Weekly that early detection made all the difference in her case: more survivable cancers, she emphasized, are often those found before they have the chance to spread. “Go out and get screened,” she said, noting that many cancers caught early lead to significantly better outcomes.
📅 Looking Forward & Reunion
With a Dawson’s Creek reunion scheduled, Humes is expected to join her former castmates, including Van Der Beek, Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, Mary Beth Peil, and others. The upcoming event promises to be emotional and reflective — not just of their shared history in the iconic 1998-2003 series, but of how their lives have intertwined through hardship and healing.
🌟 A Message of Hope
While Humes hasn’t explicitly confirmed her current health status, everything she’s shared suggests she is well now — and deeply thankful for the care she received when it mattered most. Her message resonates: cancers can be survivable, but only if they’re caught in time. For those watching her story unfold, it’s a reminder to pay attention, get screened, and never underestimate the value of early medical care.
