PRAYER ALERT: TODAY Meteorologist Al Roker Diagnosed With Cancer
By Cooper Dowd, Staff Writer
Al Roker, the beloved co-host and meteorologist of NBC’s TODAY show, announced that he recently discovered that he had prostate cancer and would take time off for treatment.
Roker, 66, said that doctors discovered cancer after a routine medical check in September. After an M.R.I. and biopsy, doctors confirmed the diagnosis.
“It’s a good news, bad news kind of thing,” Roker said on the morning broadcast. “The 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.”
Roker is candid about his diagnosis and hopes to highlight prostate cancer’s commonality among men and offer encouragement. According to the American Cancer Society, one in nine men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. About six cases in 10 are men who are 65 years old or older.
“If you detect it early, this is a really treatable disease, and it’s why I wanted to take you along my journey so we can all learn together how to educate and protect the men in our lives,” Roker said.
Dr. Vincent Laudone will remove Roker’s prostate and said that the decision came due to his cancer’s aggressive nature.
“Fortunately, his cancer appears somewhat limited or confined to the prostate,” Dr. Laudone said on the show. “But because it’s more aggressive, we wanted to treat it and we settled on removing the prostate.”
Roker added, “We’ll just wait and see, and hopefully in about two weeks, I’ll be back.”
Fellow meteorologist and friend Dylan Dreyer praised Roker for his positivity and asked people to pray.
“Al is the first person to visit, the first person to send a hand written note, the first person to call and reach out during good and bad times. His positivity is genuine and infectious,” Dreyer said on Instagram. “Please keep this wonderful man in your prayers as he undergoes treatment for prostate cancer. And use his diagnosis as a reminder for the men in your lives to get checked! You got this buddy!!!”
Update:
In a new Instagram video, Roker said he is grateful for the prayers and encouragement.
“Oh my gosh, is this not a glorious day or what? Fantastic. And it reminds me that I’ve got to thank each and every one of you for your prayers, your support, your well wishes after I announced on Friday that I am battling prostate cancer,” Roker said on Instagram.
Al Roker reveals prostate cancer diagnosis https://t.co/naXqyGRIzK
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) November 6, 2020
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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