Viewers didn’t see it coming. During a routine morning broadcast, a longtime Fox anchor paused the headlines and shared one of his own.
In an emotional on-air moment, the 55-year-old morning host revealed he’s been quietly battling prostate cancer, a diagnosis that left him stunned, and determined to speak up.
The moment unfolded live on Friday’s Morning Xtra in Cincinnati, where Rob Williams, a fixture at Fox 19 NOW since the ‘90s, turned to his co-host and said simply: “This is my announcement. I have prostate cancer.”
Williams admitted he debated whether to go public, but ultimately chose honesty over silence.
“I feel like I want to talk about my prostate cancer diagnosis because I don’t think, as men, we talk about it enough,” he said.
His co-anchor, Dan Wells, immediately stood and embraced him on air. “I love you, brother,” Wells said, pulling Williams into a hug.
“It can hit anyone”
What made the diagnosis so shocking, Williams said, was how unexpected it was.
“I’ve done 20 marathons, I’ve always been kinda healthy, I’ve always eaten very well. It can hit anyone.”
Two years ago, a routine PSA blood test revealed elevated prostate-specific antigen levels, which led doctors to the diagnosis he is now confronting. His number? Thirteen. “It should be below a four,” he explained.
Despite the diagnosis, Williams says he’s not afraid.
“I’m not worried about this at all,” he told viewers. “People were shocked because I was walking around like I didn’t have it.” He added that prostate cancer often progresses slowly and can be managed if caught early.
“Know your number. Don’t be scared.”
Now, the veteran anchor is urging other men to get screened and start talking.
“To find out whether you have prostate cancer is very easy – it’s a blood test,” he said. “Know your number and don’t be scared.”
The diagnosis has brought new meaning to his upcoming role as emcee for the Zero Prostate Cancer Run/Walk on September 27. After decades covering the event, he’ll now attend as a survivor.
“I’m looking forward to meeting survivors at the event,” he said. “And as dudes, we don’t talk about this at all.”
But thanks to one candid moment, and one anchor’s bravery, that silence is starting to break.
