“SportsCenter” anchor Jay Harris revealed his prostate cancer diagnosis during an appearance on “Good Morning America” on Thursday.
“I’m having surgery on Tuesday,” the ESPN star told “GMA” co-anchor Michael Strahan. “And I’ll be away from ‘SportsCenter’ for about a month to recover. And then I’m coming back better than ever.”
Harris, 60, said his doctor is “quite optimistic” about his prognosis.
ESPN “SportsCenter” anchor Jay Harris revealed his prostate cancer diagnosis during an appearance on “Good Morning America” on Thursday, June 5, 2025. X/GMA“Per my last scan, nothing has spread, so once we take out the prostate, hopefully that will be it,” Harris said. “That’s the goal.”
Harris, who said his dad had prostate cancer, wants to inspire men to openly discuss ailments and family history among themselves.
“By not talking, we sentence ourselves to death,” he added.
“SportsCenter” anchors Hannah Storm and Jay Harris on the ESPN set. ESPNHarris further explained his cancer diagnosis in an essay for ESPN Front Row.
“Over a month ago, I received news no one wants to hear: I have prostate cancer,” he wrote.
“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.”
Jay Harris in 2017 at the Derek Jeter Celebrity Invitational gala. FilmMagicHarris added that after his diagnosis, he had “meaningful talks” with his ESPN colleagues, 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,” he said.
Jay Harris at the 2015 ESPYS. Getty ImagesStorm revealed her breast cancer diagnosis on “Good Morning America” last March, saying she was diagnosed with DCIS, a non-invasive type of stage 0 breast cancer in which the cancer cells have not spread beyond the breasts’ milk ducts.
Custer, who is a prostate cancer survivor, celebrated the 11th anniversary of his surgery last September.
Harris said Storm checks in on him every day at work on the ESPN set.
Jay Harris is pictured in May 2025. Getty ImagesHarris joined ESPN in February 2003 as an “ESPNEWS” anchor.
That May, he anchored his first “SportsCenter” show and has been at the desk since.
