Al Roker gives update after surgery for prostate cancer: 'See you all soon'
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Today show weatherman Al Roker is recovering from surgery to remove his prostate, following a prostate cancer diagnosis.
Roker shared the diagnosis with viewers on Nov. 6, explaining that doctors had caught the cancer early, during a checkup in September. He also said it was “a little aggressive,” and he’d chosen to remove the organ over alternatives, such as radiation. He’s since taken some time off from work.
On Thursday, Roker updated fans, thanking them for their thoughts and well wishes. He also showed gratitude for the team at Josie Robertson Surgery Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, where he was treated, and his co-workers at 30 Rock for sending care packages.
Relieved to let you all know that my #prostatecancer surgery is done and back home. IA big shoutout to everyone at the #josierobertsonsurgerycenter and appreciate all the thoughts and wishes from our viewers and the wonderful care packages from my co-workers. See you all soon. pic.twitter.com/PoZZWpDcFE
— Al Roker (@alroker) November 12, 2020
His message appeared alongside photos with his wife of 25 years, ABC News journalist Deborah Roberts, and their 18-year-old son, Nick. (Roker also has two adult daughters.)
Even Roker’s update garnered loving responses, such as “You got this!” and “Get well soon, Al!” They asked him to take care of himself. “You are my sunshine every week day morning!!!” one person commented.
Over on Roberts’s Instagram, she posted a sweet note praising her husband for his “indomitable spirit.”
The 66-year-old, who joined Today in 1996, has received widespread support since speaking out about his condition. He even had his doctor on to talk about his case.
Roker said it was important for him to make his diagnosis public because so many men are affected by the disease. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It also disproportionately affects Black men.
“One of my main driving forces to go public with my prostate cancer diagnosis is to helpfully educate and hopefully save lives,” said Roker, “especially for African American men, who are twice as likely to die from this disease.”
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