NBA Legend Cancer-Free After Removing Prostate: "I Was in Shock"

Alonzo Mourning, a seven-time NBA All-Star and Olympic gold medalist, recently underwent surgery to remove his prostate after being diagnosed with Stage 3 prostate cancer. The diagnosis was made possible through routine prostate cancer screening, which Mourning credits with saving his life. In an interview with ESPN, Mourning shared his personal journey and emphasized the importance of getting regular PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood tests to monitor oneself for prostate cancer.

Mourning’s diagnosis came as a surprise, despite his family history of prostate cancer. His father and grandfather had both been diagnosed with the disease, making him more vulnerable to a positive diagnosis. However, it was not until he had a routine conversation with his urologist at a social event three years ago that he began regular visits to a urologist in South Florida.

A rise in PSA scores led to an MRI screening, which revealed “shadows” in the imaging and necessitated a biopsy. The biopsy results showed a Gleason score of eight, indicating a high grade of prostate cancer.

“And Dr. Punnen tells me, ‘I want to get a PET scan immediately to make sure cancer hasn’t spread through your body,'” Mourning told ESPN. “I was in shock. I can’t tell you enough about how well my body felt. I was in top-notch shape — running sprints, strong. The doctor told me that he couldn’t believe I had had a kidney transplant.”

“My partner, Mariona, is waiting for me outside the PET scan, and we are nervous as hell. I’m sitting in the machine with my arms over my head and my mind racing — waiting for the technician to read the scan. We ended up in a cold waiting room waiting for the tech to come in and finally he looks at us and says he’s got good news: The cancer is still in the [prostate] capsule and hasn’t spread.”

Mourning underwent surgery to remove his prostate in March, and subsequent testing revealed that the cancer had been completely removed. He is now cancer-free and credits his regular checkups with saving his life.

Mourning’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of prostate cancer screening, particularly for men who are at risk. According to the American Cancer Society, 3.3 million men in the United States are living with prostate cancer, and many do not even know it. Black men and those with a family history of prostate cancer are at higher risk.

“Life was good and amazing for me, but if I had ignored getting checked and let this go, the cancer would’ve spread through my body,” Mourning told ESPN. “Unfortunately, as men, we don’t like to go to the doctor, but this is the only way to find out what’s going on in your body. Prostate and even colon cancer are silent killers and many men won’t get those diagnosis until it’s too late.”

Mourning also emphasized the importance of breaking down the taboo surrounding men’s health issues and encouraging men to be proactive about their health. “We live in a world where it’s taboo among men to talk about health issues,” he said. “If I didn’t get routine checkups, I probably wouldn’t be here to talk about this.”

Mourning’s story serves as a lesson to all men about the importance of regular checkups and screenings. By getting tested and addressing any abnormalities early on, you can increase your chances of survival and reduce your risk of developing serious complications.

Tips for Men

To reduce your risk of developing prostate cancer and detect it early on, follow these tips:

Get regular checkups: Start getting regular PSA tests and digital rectal exams (DREs) at age 50 (Black men should consider getting screened as early as 45)
Know your family history: Share your family history with your doctor and ask about your risk level.
Stay informed: Learn about prostate cancer symptoms, risks factors, and treatment options.
Don’t ignore symptoms: If you experience symptoms such as difficulty urinating, blood in your urine or semen, or painful ejaculation, talk to your doctor.
Be proactive: Don’t wait until you’re experiencing symptoms to get tested. Regular screenings can detect cancer early on.
Talk to your doctor: Discuss your concerns and risks with your doctor and ask questions about your screening results.
Get tested regularly: Even if you’re healthy, continue getting regular PSA tests and DREs as recommended by your doctor.