Jay Harris reveals he has prostate cancer
As he takes a hiatus from the SportsCenter anchor desk to receive medical treatment, Harris shares his perspective with fans in this essay
Jay Harris joined ESPN in February 2003 and has been a SportsCenter anchor since May 2003. (Kelly Anne Backus/ESPN Images)
Hannah Storm and Jay Harris have been SportsCenter co-anchors for years. (Photo courtesy of Hannah Storm/ESPN)
Brian Custer (L) and Harris report from the SportsCenter set. (Photo courtesy of Brian Custer/Instagram)
A native of Norfolk, Va., Harris graduated from Old Dominion University with a bachelor’s degree in speech communication. (Phil Ellsworth/ESPN Images)EDITOR’S NOTE: ESPN anchor Jay Harris was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. He revealed the diagnosis this morning on ABC’s Good Morning America (see video below) and shares more thoughts with Front Row in this essay.
Over a month ago, I received news no one wants to hear: I have prostate cancer.
It’s jarring news for sure, yet unfortunately, it’s not unexpected, given my family history and demographic.
Prostate cancer disproportionately affects Black men. My dad had a bout with prostate cancer, which he won.
I’m 60. It’s something I’ve always been cognizant of, and my doctor and I talk about it every annual visit. And I’m sharing it all with my 26-year-old son. Maybe I’m oversharing at times—lol—but he needs to know.
My goal in sharing this is to join the many others who also want to normalize this conversation and hopefully provide a bit of guidance and preparation, just as it has been offered to me.
My treatment plan begins with surgery, which is scheduled for Tuesday, June 10. After my diagnosis, a PET scan showed no spreading. While that was quite the relief, I know that’s not the final word, and they’ll find out more when they go inside. My hope is that they won’t find anything extra so that I can return to work in a month or so, 100 percent healthy.
After receiving my diagnosis, I had some very meaningful talks with my fellow SportsCenter anchors Hannah Storm and Brian Custer, both of whom have dealt with cancer. Their support has been extremely helpful. And my longtime friends at the V Foundation for Cancer Research have given me wonderful guidance.
My goal in sharing this is to join the many others who also want to normalize this conversation and hopefully provide a bit of guidance and preparation, just as it has been offered to me.
Quick story: I went on a golf trip not long ago with some buddies, and I decided to tell them what was going on with me. And the conversation changed from the stuff that guys talk about when they’re playing golf to all of our health things and our appointments. Middle-aged dudes are having some real talk. And it was a great conversation, the kind we need to have if we aren’t already.
Whenever I’ve mentioned my diagnosis, invariably I’ve gotten, “Oh, my cousin did the radiation,” or “My father had the surgery,” or “My uncle went through that years ago. Do you want me to ask him to call you?”
If there’s been a best part to this, that’s been it. Prostate cancer has impacted so many people. Consider that the American Cancer Society estimates there will be more than 310,000 new cases of prostate cancer in 2025. If I can use my voice to help anyone in that number, that’s what I want to do.
Anyway, I just wanted you to know. I appreciate the prayers, well wishes, and the love. Talk soon.
