Football Great Terry Bradshaw Describes Battle Against Two Kinds of Cancer

TUESDAY, Oct. 4, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Football Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw revealed Sunday that he has been treated for two different types of cancer in the past year.

Bradshaw talked about his health while co-hosting Fox NFL Sunday.

“Last week on this show, I ran out of breath and Howie helped me up and a lot of people are asking what’s wrong with me,” Bradshaw said. “I just want to address it and let you know what has happened in my life.”

Bradshaw said he was diagnosed with bladder cancer in November 2021.

"Bladder cancer afflicts more than 80,000 people in the U.S. annually," explained Dr. Matthew Zibelman, an associate professor in the department of hematology/oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. "Patients may present with blood in the urine, which can be an early sign and can lead to early diagnosis and treatment. If caught early, many patients can be treated before the cancer spreads outside the bladder."

In Bradshaw's case, the outcome was good.

“I went to the Yale University Medical Center ... surgery, treatment. As of today, I am bladder cancer-free," Bradshaw said. "Alright, that’s the good news.”

In March, the 74-year-old had a “bad neck” and got an MRI.

“Now we find a tumor in my left neck and it’s a Merkel cell tumor, which is a rare form of skin cancer,” Bradshaw said, explaining that the tumor was removed during surgery at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

“Folks,” Bradshaw said, “I may not look like my old self, but I feel like my old self. I’m cancer-free, I’m feeling great and over time, I’m going to be back to where I normally am. So I appreciate your prayers and your concern.”

Bradshaw is known for playing with the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 1970s, including helping them win the Super Bowl four times over six seasons. He has been in the Pro Football of Fame since 1989, NBC TODAY reported.

“You know we love you and you hold this show together and regardless of all of that, we’re just so happy that you’re here and we’re happy that you’re cancer-free," said co-host Michael Strahan, who called Bradshaw the ultimate teammate. "I think you’re going to give a lot of hope to a lot of people out there who are going through something very similar.”

More information

The Skin Cancer Foundation has more on merkel cell carcinoma.

SOURCE: NBC TODAY