Rick Steves, the American travel writer, author, and television personality, is the face of European travel, a trusted guide for millions seeking to discover the gems of the European continent. For Steves, every trip is an adventure, his latest though, is a more personal journey that takes place far from the cobblestone streets of Europe.
In August Rick shared the news that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and would undergo surgery at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center-Seattle. He approached this challenge with the same spirit he has always embraced his travels: with positivity and a sense of adventure.
With his characteristic humor, on Tuesday he shared an update on social media, writing, “Thanks for all the support since I first told you about my prostate cancer diagnosis. I promised you an update when I shared this news back in August — and I’m happy to say that I’m home now after successful surgery and a night in the hospital. (Packing light for my homecoming, I left my prostate there.)”
Steves has been advocating for open and honest conversations about cancer, emphasizing that it’s a condition that “permeates all corners of our society, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of or to hide”. His candidness about his PSA score, which at 55 was significantly higher than the normal range of 4 or lower for his age of 69, and his decision to opt for a robotic radical prostatectomy, has shed light on the importance of regular health screenings and being proactive about one’s health.
As is the case when planning any trip, choices need to be made. “And in my case (where the cancer is, how it’s acting, and my willingness to deal with — or live with — the side effects), it seemed surgery was my best option,” he wrote. “After talking with my doctor and carefully considering each treatment strategy, I chose to undergo a robotic radical prostatectomy.”
Having never spent a day in hospital before, Steves says, “Since I was first diagnosed, I’ve thought of cancer as the latest adventure in a lifetime of travels,” he continued. “And like always, I’m excited to share a trip report with you.”
Rick is still waiting for the lab reports to know how the surgery went, but the words he’s hoping to hear are” You are cancer-free.”
