Al Roker shares health update following prostate cancer surgery

Anchor publicly announced diagnosis earlier this month

Al Roker on the Today show on 17 November 2020 (YouTube/TODAY)

Al Roker has shared a hopeful health update after undergoing surgery as part of his prostate cancer treatment.

The Today show weather anchor and co-host appeared on the programme on Tuesday to share the news with his colleagues Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb. He first discussed his diagnosis publicly earlier this month.

Roker explained that he underwent a five-hour surgical procedure on 9 November at a New York City hospital. His prostate was removed during the surgery, as well as lymph nodes and surrounding tissue.

“I just went to the doctor’s yesterday, and I’ve got some good news,” Roker announced.

His physician, Dr Vincent Laudone, then explained on camera: “The prognosis at this point in time based on how the surgery went and based on his pathology report, everything looks very favorable.

“We would say that Al has no evidence of any cancer, but we'll continue to monitor him for several years.”

Roker added that he’s “up for lifelong testing” to ensure the illness does not return. 

He urged viewers to get their prostates checked regularly and emphasised the fact that Black men have a higher risk of developing the disease and of dying from it, meaning they should start getting check-ups earlier in life.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation recommends that Black men start getting screened for prostate cancer at the age of 40. 

The same recommendation goes for those whose family history suggests they’re at risk for the illness.