Former Newcastle, West Ham and Portsmouth goalkeeper Shaka Hislop has revealed he is being treated for prostate cancer that has spread to his pelvic bone. The 56-year-old learned of the illness 18 months ago after insisting on a PSA test during a routine check-up. Further scans confirmed an aggressive form of the disease, leading to surgery last December. Six months later, rising PSA levels showed the cancer had returned and spread, prompting medication and seven and a half weeks of radiation therapy.
Hislop shared his story publicly to encourage men to be proactive about testing. He stressed that regular PSA checks are vital for early detection — especially for men over 50, and for Black men from age 40 due to higher risk. He noted that family history alone is not a reliable indicator, as his own genetic screening showed no predisposition.
“The highest rate of prostate cancer mortality is in Caribbean men,” he said, urging his community to get screened. “Prostate cancer is survivable if caught early. Testing saves lives — it saved mine.”
His message arrives as the UK debates prostate cancer screening policy, adding personal weight to calls for awareness and early detection.
