Travel Host Rick Steves Reveals Prostate Cancer Diagnosis: ‘I Have Lots to Be Thankful for’

Mar. 15, 2025

Rick Steves.Photo:Slaven Vlasic/Getty

Slaven Vlasic/Getty

On Wednesday, Aug. 21, Steves, 69, sharedon X(formerly known as Twitter) that he was preparing to have surgery at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center-Seattle this fall, but was remaining thankful and positive.

“I’d like to take a moment to share some important news. I have been diagnosed with prostate cancer,” theRick Steves' Europestar began. “My doctor assures me that, if you’re going to get cancer, this is a good kind to get, and careful scans show no sign of it having spread.”

“There is a clear path forward to getting healthy, and this fall, I’ll be in the hospital for a few days having prostate surgery,” he added.

“I have great trust in my doctor and in Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. And I have lots more to be thankful for… including the support of friends and loved ones and a strong faith that I’m in good hands,” he added.

Steves said he’d luckily never had to spend a night in hospital before, but was looking at it as another “amazing trip.”

Rick Steves.Barry King/WireImage

Barry King/WireImage

“While the statistics tell me I should be just fine, I’ve been fortunate to have never spent a night in a hospital — and I find myself going into this adventure almost like it’s some amazing, really important trip,” Steves wrote.

Rick Steves.Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock

Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock

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“I’m looking forward to many more years of happy travels, exciting collaborations, and beautiful friendships. Thank you for your love and support (and any ‘travel tips’ you may have for me as I set off on this journey),” he concluded.

The best-selling author posted the message with a photo from his travels, with the caption, “Be thankful.”

source: people.com