Good Lifestyle

Barry Watson has become a household name at only 22 years old, playing the eldest son of the Camden family on the WB series struck7th Sky. Since then, the actor appeared onGossip Girl, in the headSamantha who? oppositeChristina Applegateand played in several movies, includingTeach Mrs Tingle,Bogeyman, andFar from home. But when Watson was 28 years old, a health crisis put his career on the back burner: in 2002, he was diagnosed with the Hodgkin's lymphoma, aSerious form of cancer which affects the lymphatic system. Health and without cancer two decades after its diagnosis, the star prepares others on the symptom of cancer it noticed first. Read it to find out what it was, and the fight against cancer of the star's life.

RELATED:Maria Menounos says it was the first symptom of his brain tumor.

Watson recalls the exact moment in March 2002 that he knew something was wrong with his health. "I remember being in New York advertising for a movie I was doing it went out. It was around the day St. Patricks. My brother asked me if I was going to have a pint or whiskey . I told him. I told him.I was too tired go out and who felt strange for me, "he saysGq In 2020. While he remembers feeling "certain that something was happening" with his body, the actor says he has streamlined his symptoms, by attributing extreme fatigue to his work schedule occupied at the era.

When Watson later noticed a ball in his neck and developed night sweats, he knew he could no longer brush his concerns. These two new symptoms pushed him to call his doctor, leading to aCancer screening And the biopsy that confirmed that he had the lymphoma of Hodgkin.

RELATED:Tarek El Moussa of HGTV says it was his first symptom of thyroid cancer.

Watson has embarked on an aggressive treatment plan that required chemotherapy every two weeks for six months. "I was ready to do everything I had to do to doobtain cancer of my body, "he saysFacing the cancer magazine in 2014.

Although Watson took absence leave as an actor, he said he was able to continue to work behind the scenes when he felt up to the height. "Brenda Hampton, who created7th Sky, gave me a job on the show as a history editor. It was a god, because it kept me focused on something else, not my cancer, "he said.

Three months in his treatment, Watson learned that his cancer was no longer detectable - a fact that he says that the second half of his chemo regime is easier to bear. When he finished his treatment, he returned to7th SkyOn the screen, restarting on the 150th episode.

Watson opened its many ways to havecancer at a young age has changed his prospects on life. Now married toNatasha Gregson Wagner (daughter of the star of the legendary filmNatalie WoodAnd a three-year-old father, he says that his health history reminds him of focusing on what is before him. "I do not worry about the little things much more," says the starTo face. "I'm trying not to let the stupid little things take away beautiful things that I continued in my life- [My partner] Natasha, my children," he said. "I see a life a little brighter than me. Each color is a little more vibrant."AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

Reflect on his battle with cancer, the star says he has made the most of a difficult experience. "I would like me that I did not have to cross," he said. "But there is a big part of me who is happy to have crossed this experience because it made me who I am now, who is, who is, hopefully, a better human being, a better dad, Perhaps even a better actor. "

For more health news sent directly to your inbox,Sign up for our daily newsletter.

These days, Watson says that hisFight against Hodgkin's lymphoma is a distant memory. "It sounds like a life there is a life," he saysABC News In 2021. However, the star learned valuable lessons, and now hopes to share part of what he gleaned from experience with others. First and foremost, he says, he hopes that his story will be used as a reminder to always consult a doctor when something does not seem absolutely right. He adds that this is particularly important because the pandemic has kept as many people from their health care providers.

"For last year and half with COVID-19, people stayed almost away from their doctor. It's more important now than ever getting your check-shows, get your blood blood. Looking in back, my body was trying to tell me something of the way before being diagnosed, "he says ABC News . "Listen to your body."

RELATED: The first thing Sofía Vergara did when she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer .