Al Roker, the weather anchor on NBC's TODAY show, announced that he has prostate cancer and will undergo surgery next week.
Live on air, the 66-year-old TODAY weatherman and co-host told viewers: "It's a good news-bad news kind of thing. Good news is we caught it early. Not great news is that it's a little aggressive, so I'm going to be taking some time off to take care of this."
Next week, Roker will undergo surgery at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. Roker's doctor, Dr. Vincent Laudone, told the TODAY show: "Fortunately his cancer appears somewhat limited or confined to the prostate, but because it's more aggressive, we wanted to treat it, and after discussion regarding all of the different options—surgery, radiation, focal therapy—we settled on removing the prostate."
Our friend and colleague @AlRoker reveals that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. pic.twitter.com/hnAUX4xfX3
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) November 6, 2020
Speaking with the TODAY show in a pre-recorded video, Roker said he was not expecting the diagnosis. The cancer was spotted during a routine check-up, as Roker's blood contained high levels of Prostate-Specific Antigen, which can be a sign of prostate cancer. Roker then underwent an MRI and a biopsy which confirmed his diagnosis.
Roker discussed his initial reaction to being told his diagnosis and said: "You hear the word cancer and your mind goes... It's the next level."
The weatherman said that he wanted to share his diagnosis with the public to raise awareness of prostate cancer, which impacts one in seven African American men and one in nine men overall. He wants to urge others to see their doctors and have checkups, as prostate cancer is very treatable if detected early.
In hindsight, Roker said he wished he had asked his wife, ABC News Correspondent Deborah Roberts, to go with him for the diagnosis.
On Twitter early on Friday, Roberts said in a tweet: "As many of you now know my hubby is battling prostate cancer. We are prayerful and hopeful he will be fine. Thanks for all the kind words, prayers and positivity."
As many of you now know my hubby is battling prostate cancer. We are prayerful and hopeful he will be fine. Thanks for all the kind words, prayers and positivity. pic.twitter.com/jHIMnKYynB
— Deborah Roberts (@DebRobertsABC) November 6, 2020
His supporters took to social media to send Roker well wishes, including reporter Shelby Lofton, who said: "You've been on my TV since I was little, making our days sunshine-y when they were starting out gray. Praying for you, Mr. Roker."
On Twitter, Roker thanked his supporters and said: "I want to thank everyone sending all the good thoughts, wishes and prayers our way. Looking forward to seeing you all in a couple of weeks."
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
