NEW YORK – Al Roker, the longtime “Today” show meteorologist, is reflecting on his prostate cancer journey five years after his diagnosis. He says the health scare ultimately helped refocus his commitment to his well-being.
Roker was diagnosed in September 2020 after a routine checkup. Bloodwork revealed his prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were elevated. A later biopsy confirmed it was cancer.
He admits the news was frightening. “You hear the word ‘cancer’ and your mind kind of fritzes out,” Roker told PEOPLE in an exclusive interview. He recalled being alone for the diagnosis, a decision he immediately regretted. His first thought was that his wife, journalist Deborah Roberts, would be upset she wasn’t there.
After the diagnosis, Roberts joined him for every appointment. Roker credits her journalistic skills for helping them navigate the complex medical decisions. “She asks all the questions and the follow-ups,” he said.
The couple consulted with several experts. Roker ultimately chose to have surgery to remove his prostate in November 2020 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
His recovery involved a lot of walking, as prescribed by his doctors. He walked around Central Park with a catheter, calling the experience the “hardest part” of his recovery. Despite this, he returned to the “Today” show just two weeks after the procedure.
Roker sees a positive outcome from his ordeal. He says it “jump-started” his fitness routine. The walking habit he developed post-surgery has become a central part of his life. He now serves as the “Chief Motivation Officer” for the “Today” show’s “Start Today” fitness brand.
He also felt a duty to share his story publicly. Roker highlighted that prostate cancer disproportionately affects Black men, who are twice as likely to get it and die from it. “If you’ve got a bully pulpit, why not use it?” he stated.
Roker was declared cancer-free in May 2021. He now has annual checkups. Looking back, he considers himself fortunate for his resilience.
“I’ve been very fortunate,” Roker said. “I was fortunate that I’ve always been relatively resilient coming out of these issues.”
His walking initiative, which started as personal therapy, has now grown into a larger community. “The great thing about walking is that other than a pair of sneakers, it takes no equipment whatsoever,” he said. “And everybody can do it.”
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