It’s hard for celebrities to keep things private, but Billy Baldwin’s family has managed to keep his son Vance’s battle with cancer a secret until this month when the teen revealed the diagnosis on his own terms.

Vance Balwin also has a celebrity mom, Wilson Phillips singer Chynna Phillips.

The family has been quietly supporting the 18-year-old for almost a year until he decided to go public via an Instagram post.

Baldwin and Phillips, who married in 1995, also share daughters Jameson, 19, and Brooke, 14.

The teen shocked followers with a post about being in remission, but no one knew he had cancer to begin with.

On his Instagram profile – where he goes by the handle @vazers – Vance wrote:

“Got diagnosed a year ago today, been clear for months now. #keepyourheadup #fxckcancer”

Since Vance’s Instagram account is private, we assume his dad got his son’s permission before reposting it for his fans on his own account along with his own message:

“A year ago today my son Vance was diagnosed with cancer… he was 16 years old. He kept it very quiet… we all did. He went through 28 rounds of chemo yet stayed VERY positive, focused and kept his life as normal as possible… every single day. Kid’s a tough son of a b**ch. Sharp as a tack. Funny as hell. Tough as nails. Heart of gold. Courage, strength, bravery, attitude, warrior… never seen anything like it. Never been prouder. Love you son.”

Wow. To be diagnosed at 16 (he turned 18 just days ago) and go through 28 rounds of chemo in a year is quite the battle.

The photo that went along with the posts is one of Vance buttoning a dress shirt and staring into the camera.

Baldwin said that while a few close friends knew, the respected his son’s wishes to keep it all private. It sounds like word got out to the immediate community at some point before it hit the news.

Dad Billy Baldwin also said:

“So much love & gratitude for how all his boys, teachers, coaches, parents… the whole SB community stepped up for him during this difficult time,” Baldwin posted. “Thanks gang… you know who you are… Vance, Chynna, Jameson, Brooke & I love you all. Your love, kindness & support definitely helped get him/ us through this difficult time.”

And he finished off his post with a thank you to Vance’s oncologist, LA-based Dr. Lawrence Piro:

“You are an amazing man!” he simply said.

Piro is often seen galavanting with celebrities and appearing as a guest expert on television shows such as The Doctors. He also works at The Angeles Clinic, which develops experimental cancer treatments.

“Our baby. Our hero” mom Chynna Philips wrote in the comments.

We don’t know what type of cancer Vance was diagnosed with or anything else about his illness or treatment (and it’s pointless to speculate), but we do know that teenage cancer is pretty rare, everything considered.

While 1 in 2 people run the risk of being diagnosed in their lifetime (especially as our longevity increases), less than 1% of cancers are diagnosed in 15-24-year-olds, according to the Teenage Cancer Trust.

All that’s left is to wish him the best for a cancer-free life from here on out.

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Source: TODAY, @thebillybaldwin via Instagram