United Kingdom, March 15 -- James Van Der Beek says he has had the "hardest year of my life" since his cancer diagnosis.

Last year, the 'Dawson's Creek' star, 48, went public with his health crisis after being diagnosed with colorectal cancer and father-of-six James admitted it has taken a toll on his whole family, particularly when he "was away for treatment".

He said on Instagram: "I had to come nose to nose with death. And all those definitions that I cared so deeply about were stripped from me.

"I could no longer be a husband who was helpful to my wife. I could no longer be a father who could pick up his kids and put them to bed and be there for them. I could not be a provider because I wasn't working. I couldn't even be a steward ...