Al Roker reveals on Today show he has prostate cancer

He hopes sharing diagnosis will encourage other men to undergo checkups

Today show host Al Roker has revealed he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

The Today co-host and weatherman shared the diagnosis on Friday morning’s show, where he said the cancer had been found during a routine checkup in September.

“After a routine checkup in September, it turns out I have prostate cancer,” the 66-year-old said on-air. “It’s a good news, bad news kind of thing. The good news is we caught it early, the not great news is that it’s a little aggressive.”

According to Roker, he will be taking time off to undergo treatment for the cancer, with Today reporting that he will have surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City to remove his prostate.

He said he hopes to be back on-air in two weeks.

Roker also took the opportunity to explain that he wanted to publicly announce his diagnosis to highlight how common the disease is.

“It’s one of those things, it’s a little more common than people realise,” the TV host said, adding that one in nine men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, but for African American men the number is one in seven.

During the segment, the father-of-three also reflected on the day he learned of his diagnosis, recalling that it was a Tuesday and it was “weird” because he didn’t feel physically different.

“But I was different. Because I knew that I’ve got cancer,” he said.

According to Roker, his path to diagnosis began with a routine physical, during which doctors discovered he had an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in his bloodwork.

He then underwent an MRI, and a biopsy, with his doctor sharing the results on 29 September.  

“When he started, he closed his door and said: 'I always like to have these discussions face to face,'" Al said of the moment he learned. "And I was like: 'Uh-oh. Well, that doesn't sound good.'"

"You hear the word 'cancer' and your mind goes, it's the next level, you know?"

Roker concluded the segment reiterating the importance of men undergoing routine checks for prostate cancer.

According to the Mayo Clinic, prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men and usually causes no signs or symptoms in its early stages.

If it is detected early, there is a better chance of treatment.

On social media, the news of Roker’s diagnosis prompted an outpouring of support from viewers who shared their well-wishes.

“Al, you have literally an entire world of people wishing you well.  Absorb all that positive energy and you will beat this!” one person wrote.

Another said: “Wishing you all the best and sending positive thoughts!!  You’ll beat this and will help many men in the process. Thank you for sharing your journey.”