"Good news is we caught it early. Not great news is that it's a little aggressive," said the 66-year-old anchor.
Al Roker revealed he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The NBC weatherman, 66, shared the news on Friday's episode of "Today," where he told the audience that doctors had discovered the disease during a routine checkup back in September.
Our friend and colleague @AlRoker reveals that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. pic.twitter.com/hnAUX4xfX3
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) November 6, 2020 @TODAYshow
"It's a good news-bad news kind of thing," Roker explained. "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."
"It's a little more common than I think people realize, so I just decided that I wanted to go public with it because one in nine men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime," he continued. "But for African-American men, that number is one in seven and is more deadly, so 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."
Roker is set to undergo surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City next week.
After he made the announcement, well wishes poured in from family and friends, beginning with his fellow newscasters.
Thinking about my dear friend @alroker and wishing him the best as he faces prostate cancer. Sending so much love to you, Al! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/sG2ghhQQol
— Katie Couric (@katiecouric) November 6, 2020 @katiecouric
.@alroker my thoughts are with you on a full recovery. Thank you for using this difficult moment in you own life to educate and inform. You have likely saved lives. https://t.co/hnBOFrWyZ3
— Dan Rather (@DanRather) November 6, 2020 @DanRather
"Thinking about my dear friend @alroker and wishing him the best as he faces prostate cancer. Sending so much love to you, Al!" shared Katie Couric, as Dan Rather posted, "@alroker my thoughts are with you on a full recovery. Thank you for using this difficult moment in you own life to educate and inform. You have likely saved lives."
Tamron Hall added, "Sending every ounce of love I have to my friend, my mentor, and a man who embodies loyalty. Mr. Roker we love you!!"
Hollywood heavyweights sent their support as well, with Jason Bateman writing, "Hurry back, @alroker," and Josh Gad posting, "Want to take a second to send lots of love to @alroker who I know in my heart is going to beat this!!! You got this and we got you."
Sending every ounce of love I have to my friend, my mentor, and a man who embodies loyalty. Mr. Roker we love you!! @alroker @todayshow pic.twitter.com/3GJpBWMFHc
— Tamron Hall (@tamronhall) November 6, 2020 @tamronhall
Want to take a second to send lots of love to @alroker who I know in my heart is going to beat this!!! You got this and we got you. 🙏🙏🙏
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) November 6, 2020 @joshgad
Hurry back, @alroker 👊🏼 https://t.co/lAoBM7YIDX
— Jason Bateman (@batemanjason) November 6, 2020 @batemanjason
As the heartfelt messages continued to roll in, Roker's wife, Deborah Roberts, took to her own Twitter to show her appreciation.
"As many of you now know my hubby is battling prostate cancer," she shared. "We are prayerful and hopeful he will be fine. Thanks for all the kind words, prayers and positivity."
Roker thanked his supporters, too, tweeting, "I want to thank everyone sending all the good thoughts, wishes and prayers our way. Looking forward to seeing you all in a couple of weeks.
See more reactions, below.
Thanks, sweetheart. Love you https://t.co/mmmVfiTD7e
— Al Roker (@alroker) November 6, 2020 @alroker
Love our al ❤️❤️❤️ @alroker https://t.co/f7QP7wKYub
— Hoda Kotb (@hodakotb) November 6, 2020 @hodakotb
Prayers for @AlRoker: Right now on the @TODAYshow he is announcing that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and will be undergoing surgery next week. https://t.co/HDG5Ikud1b
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) November 6, 2020 @brianstelter
All the best to you @alroker 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 https://t.co/p90lTJKYVN
— Loni Love (@LoniLove) November 6, 2020 @LoniLove
Love you @alroker you got this my friend. ❤️
— Nia Vardalos (@NiaVardalos) November 6, 2020 @NiaVardalos
Let’s keep @AlRoker in our prayers! He will have surgery after revealing a prostate cancer diagnosis. 🙏🏾 https://t.co/8gbz7Zh4kJ #AlRoker #TodayShow
— Sherri Shepherd (@sherrieshepherd) November 6, 2020 @sherrieshepherd
Sending love to my buddy @alroker. Always sharing his journeys and helping others. 🙏🏽❤️
— Holly Robinson Peete😷🥰 (@hollyrpeete) November 6, 2020 @hollyrpeete
Al Roker reveals prostate cancer diagnosis https://t.co/AulQjKVM4I via @TODAYshow
We’re with you, Al.
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) November 6, 2020 @MJMcKean
Sorry to hear this, Legend @alroker - wish you every success with your treatment. https://t.co/gfNIm91YYq
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) November 6, 2020 @piersmorgan
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