Busy Phillips Discloses Rare Brain Tumor Diagnosis After February Diagnosis Busy Phillips, 47, has publicly revealed her diagnosis with a rare grade 2 oligodendroglioma, a type of brain tumor, which she received in February 2026. The actress, best known for her role as Audrey Liddell on the 1990s teen drama Dawson’s Creek, shared her experience with PEOPLE, describing the past six months as "the weirdest" of her life. She underwent surgery in early March, just weeks before beginning filming for her new CBS series Cupertino. Phillips recounted her initial reaction to the diagnosis, recalling a conversation with her neurosurgeon during which she jokingly asked if he could perform a brow lift alongside her treatment. The doctor responded with a laugh, telling her, "No," and she later quipped, "You should start to think about offering that." Despite the lighthearted moment, Phillips emphasized her gratitude for being alive after the ordeal. The diagnosis came after a series of medical consultations. Phillips initially dismissed the need for a scan, as her doctors had told her she was healthy and showed no symptoms. However, she sought a second opinion from her cousin’s husband, a physician, who advised her to "think about the power of knowledge." This prompted her to proceed with the scan, which revealed the tumor. Phillips’ decision to undergo the scan was influenced by the recent passing of her Dawson’s Creek co-star James Van Der Beek, who died at 48 after a battle with cancer. She mentioned that her ex-husband, Marc Silverstein, encouraged her to prioritize her health, telling her to "do it for your friend." During the scan, Phillips texted Silverstein with the shocking news, only to receive a confused response from him.#james_van_der_beek #dawsons_creek #busy_phillips #marc_silverstein #dr_alice_miller
