ESPN’s Jay Harris Reveals Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

Jay Harris, longtime ESPN anchor and familiar face on SportsCenter, has revealed he’s battling prostate cancer. The 60-year-old made the announcement during an emotional segment on Good Morning America and followed it up with a personal essay on ESPN’s Front Row. Harris’s openness about his diagnosis isn’t just brave—it’s a deeply important moment for public awareness, especially within the Black community.

A Diagnosis That Hits Close to Home

For Harris, this news didn’t come out of nowhere. He’s always been aware of the risks, especially with his father having faced and beaten prostate cancer. “It’s jarring news for sure,” he wrote, “yet unfortunately, it’s not unexpected.” Every year during his checkups, he and his doctor would talk about prostate health. It’s something he’s also made a point to share with his 26-year-old son. Sometimes, he says, maybe he shares a little too much. But in his words—“he needs to know.”

This kind of transparency is exactly why his voice matters in the larger conversation about men’s health. Prostate cancer impacts Black men at higher rates than other groups. And too often, conversations about it come too late.

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Surgery Scheduled, Optimism Intact

Harris will undergo surgery on June 10. The good news so far is that his PET scan didn’t show any spreading. Still, he knows that more will be revealed once the doctors begin the procedure. His hope? A clean surgery and a quick recovery. “So that I can return to work in a month or so, 100 percent healthy.”

Through it all, Harris has leaned on the support of friends, colleagues, and cancer survivors. Fellow ESPN anchors Hannah Storm and Brian Custer—both of whom have battled cancer—offered encouragement and advice. He also credits the V Foundation for being a source of real support.

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Turning a Golf Game Into a Real Talk Moment

One of the most meaningful experiences Harris described came during a recent golf trip. After telling a group of close friends about his diagnosis, the mood shifted. The conversation turned from casual guy talk to an honest chat about health, doctor visits, and aging. “Middle-aged dudes are having some real talk,” he said. “And it was a great conversation.”

That moment perfectly captured why Harris is speaking out. When he shares his story, others open up too. Everyone seems to know someone—a cousin, a father, an uncle—who’s been through it. That chain of connection, of stories and support, is what he’s trying to strengthen.

A Voice That Aims to Help Others

With more than 310,000 new cases of prostate cancer expected in 2025, Harris wants to do his part. If sharing his experience helps even one person take their health more seriously or feel less alone, then it’s worth it.

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Jay Harris has always been calm, steady, and sincere on air. Now, that same tone is helping spark a larger conversation off the screen. His message is clear—get checked, talk about it, and support each other.