Grammy-Winning Musician & Two-Time Cancer Survivor Nile Rodgers, 73, Says He’s ‘Addicted’ to Walking Every Day as He Nears 1-Year Milestone: ‘I Don’t Think I’m Going to Stop’

The legendary guitarist and New York City native explained, “So today I am just really still thinking about just the world and where my life is right now. And pretty soon I’ll be closing in on a year of walking every day. Today I’m going to tally up the miles and maybe in this post I’ll put the numbers.

“Maybe I’ll wait until tomorrow just to see what it is by the end of the day. But I’m just out here doing my thing, and I just love it. I’m now addicted to walking every day, and it’s a good thing.”

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He continued, “And I can’t wait to get my full body scan and check my blood work and see if I’m the same, worse, or better. And I’ll be a year older in a few days, and that’s going to be pretty interesting.

“It’ll be a great experiment just to see. And then let’s see what happens a year from now, because I don’t think I’m going to stop.”

Rodgers captioned the post by explaining his one-day absence from social media, writing that walking and health had been on his mind, but he’d needed the day instead to reflect on his life, his podcast, and his future.

He also shared that the time off led to a burst of songwriting, saying he’d “emerged from the woodshed a better person” — using the musician’s term for the mental space artists retreat to for self-improvement.

We’re glad to see Rodgers maintaining a healthy lifestyle while continuing to navigate survivorship.

He was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer in 2010 and underwent treatment before being declared cancer-free in 2014. Years later, while being treated for E. coli, a bacterial infection he attributes to tainted food, doctors discovered a growth on his kidney that turned out to be cancerous as well.

Nile Rodgers’ Cancer Journey

Long before he became a fixture of New York’s disco-funk scene — and long before his fingerprints turned up on classics like David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance,” Madonna’s “Like a Virgin,” and Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” — Rodgers had no idea health struggles would one day become as much a part of his story as the music itself.

In 2010, that changed. Rodgers was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. “When my doctor told me that I had an aggressive form of prostate cancer, everything in my happy music life imploded,” Rodgers said in a public service announcement promoting Prostate Cancer U.K.

“Once I understood the options available, I was able to make a choice about treatment that was right for me,” he continued.

That chapter, documented in a personal blog, stretched across three years of treatment and recovery — and just when it seemed behind him, another blow arrived. In 2017, a hospital stay for E. coli, a bacterial infection he believed came from tainted food, turned up something doctors hadn’t expected: a growth on his kidney that was later confirmed to be cancerous.

“After the last seven years of amazing life, I would have never believed that my body would be invaded by another cancer,” Rodgers wrote. “CANCER REALLY? I’m done.”

Yet Rodgers didn’t stay down for long. He returned to the stage with renewed purpose, and these days his music carries an added layer of advocacy — raising awareness, funding, and hope for others facing battles like his own.

Prostate Cancer Screening and Warning Signs

When you do get screened for prostate cancer, your doctor will run a few tests.

One of the tests is the PSA test, a simple blood test that screens for prostate cancer. It looks for higher levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. An elevated PSA test does not always mean you have prostate cancer. It could also reflect that your prostate is enlarged, which is common, or it could signal an infection or inflammation.

Your doctor may also conduct a digital rectal exam (DRE) to check your prostate for lumps.

Depending on the results of these tests, imaging scans and a biopsy may be ordered.

WATCH: How Gleason Grade Determines Treatment

Prostate cancer does not always behave the same in every man it impacts. The cancer can be considered “low-risk” and can be slow-growing, and treatment might not be necessary. In other men, the cancer may grow faster or more aggressively, requiring more immediate treatment. Because of this, there is some debate about screening.

The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends that men at average risk between the ages of 55 and 69 years talk with their doctor about the pros and cons of prostate cancer screening.

The American Cancer Society recommends that men at average risk begin screening at age 50. Men who are at high risk of prostate cancer should begin screening at age 40. Men with a close relative diagnosed with prostate cancer should consider annual screenings in their 30s.

SurvivorNet experts suggested that men consider factors like their family history, genes, and age when deciding whether and when to screen.

Symptoms of prostate cancer may include:

• Urinating more often
• Waking up in the middle of the night to pee
• Blood in your urine
• Trouble getting an erection
• Pain or burning when you urinate
• Pain in your back, hips, thighs, or other bones
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue

WATCH: A Message Of Hope For Men Fighting Advanced Prostate Cancer

Prostate Health Among Black Men

The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) has cancer screening guidelines with Black men in mind.

Since Black men tend to be diagnosed with prostate cancer at younger ages compared to other racial groups, the new guidelines state Black men should consider screening at 40 years old since this demographic group is regarded as a “high-risk population.”

WATCH: How to Address Racial Disparities in Cancer Care

“Few guidelines have outlined specific recommendations for prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based prostate cancer screening among Black men,” researchers for PCF said in its report published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

“Discussions with health care providers about baseline PSA testing should begin by the time Black men are in their early 40s, and modeling data suggest prostate cancer develops 3-9 years earlier in Black men compared to their peers. Lowering the age for baseline PSA testing from 50-55 years to 40-45, followed by regular screening intervals until the age of 70, would reduce prostate cancer mortality in Black men,” the PCF said in its report.

RELATED: Black Men May Be More Susceptible To Advanced Cancer Due to Biomarkers in the DNA, Study Says

SurvivorNet holds an annual Close the Gap conference to educate, spread awareness, and ultimately work to eliminate racial disparities in cancer care. Our efforts aim to ensure everyone has access to education about cancer, screening recommendations, treatment options, clinical trials, and more.

Kidney Cancer Symptoms and Treatment

Kidney cancer affects tens of thousands of Americans each year, with more than 80,450 new cases expected in 2026, according to the National Cancer Institute. Renal cell carcinoma is the most common form, accounting for about 80% of cases.

In the early stages, kidney cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms. However, what a patient experiences can differ widely depending on the tumor’s type, size, and location. Below are some potential symptoms and side effects that individuals with kidney cancer might encounter:

• Blood in the urine
• Lower back pain on one side
• Tiredness and fatigue
• Weight loss
• Reduced appetite
• Lumps or growths on the lower back or the side
• High temperature and fever that doesn’t seem to go away
• Anemia: low counts of red blood cells

Surgery is often the primary approach for treating kidney tumors, with the goal of fully removing the cancer. However, doctors typically consider this option when the tumor is still localized—meaning it’s a manageable size and hasn’t spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body. There are several types of surgical procedures used to treat kidney cancer, including:

• Radical nephrectomy
• Partial nephrectomy
• Cytoreductive nephrectomy
• Laparoscopic and robotic surgery
• Mastectomy

Treatment Options for Kidney Cancer: What You Should Know

Kidney cancer can be treated through a range of approaches—each designed to target cancer cells in different ways. Your care team will help determine the best path forward based on your diagnosis, overall health, and personal preferences. Here’s a breakdown of key treatment options:

• Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): This minimally invasive procedure uses a needle inserted directly into the tumor. Electric currents and radiofrequency waves heat and destroy the cancerous tissue from within.
• Cryoablation: In this technique, extremely cold probes are placed into the tumor to freeze and kill cancer cells. It’s often used for small tumors or patients who aren’t candidates for surgery.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses powerful medications to stop cancer cells from growing, dividing, or surviving. While kidney cancer is often resistant to traditional chemotherapy, certain drugs may be used in specific cases or in combination with other therapies.
• Radiation Therapy: Uses high-energy particles or waves to damage and destroy cancer cells. The two main types are:
  • External Beam Radiation: Delivered from outside the body, targeting the tumor with precision.
  • Internal Radiation (Brachytherapy): Places radioactive material directly inside or near the tumor.
• Immunotherapy: This innovative approach activates your immune system to better detect and attack cancer cells. Treatments like immune checkpoint inhibitors help the body overcome cancer’s defenses and mount a stronger response.
• Targeted Therapy: These drugs target specific genes or proteins that fuel cancer growth. One notable example is belzutifan (Welireg), approved by the FDA in August 2021 for patients with Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease-related kidney cancers. Belzutifan blocks a protein called HIF-2α, which normally supplies oxygen and nutrients to cancer cells—cutting off this pathway can shrink tumors significantly.
• Combination Therapy: In many cases, doctors may recommend a blend of treatments—such as immunotherapy paired with targeted therapy—to increase effectiveness and tailor care to your unique needs.

WATCH: Immunotherapy Needs to be Tailored

The Immunotherapy Offering Kidney Cancer Patients Hope

The immunotherapy drug Keytruda is approved to treat some types of kidney cancer. Immunotherapy is a powerful cancer treatment option that uses the patient’s own immune cells to fight the cancer after a bit of reengineering in a lab. The drug’s approval stemmed from the KEYNOTE-564 trial.

“The goal (of the study) was to see if (the drug) can prevent kidney cancer coming back,” Dr. Toni Choueiri, director of the Lank Center for Genitourinary Oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and lead author of the study, tells SurvivorNet. (The study itself was supported by pharmaceutical company Merck & Co. and conceived by Dr. Choueiri and some co-authors.)

Keytruda was approved for the adjuvant treatment (additional cancer treatment given after the primary treatment) of patients with renal cell carcinoma at an intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection (removal) of metastatic lesions.

RELATED: FDA Approval May Help Reduce the Risk of Kidney Cancer Returning After Surgery

A Note on Side Effects and Shared Decision-Making

While these treatments offer hope, they can also come with side effects that impact your body and daily life. That’s why it’s essential to have open, honest conversations with your doctor. Together, you can weigh the risks and benefits, explore supportive care options, and choose a treatment plan that aligns with your values and goals.

What to Know About Von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome

According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome (VHL), has been linked to the onset of many types of benign and malignant tumors, including a 60% risk of getting kidney cancer.

VHL is a rare genetic condition that happens as a result of VHL gene impairment (either gene deletion or mutation) and can cause several types of tumors to grow in different areas of the body. These tumors can be benign or malignant.

What You Need to Know About Survivorship

Whether you’re just starting out on your path as a survivor or have been living in survivorship for some time, you’ll find that the term carries multiple meanings. At its core, survivorship refers to life after facing a significant challenge, like a cancer diagnosis. More precisely, it represents the stage following treatment—a time when individuals transition from simply enduring their experience to embracing life with renewed purpose and strength.

It’s essential to understand that survivorship isn’t a final destination—it’s an ongoing process. It starts the moment someone is diagnosed with a major health condition and extends throughout their lifetime. You’ll often hear phrases like, “you become a survivor the day you’re diagnosed,” which highlight this perspective.

This idea speaks to the strength and determination required to face a serious illness, honoring the resilience it takes to move forward each day.

Being a survivor involves reshaping your life while managing the lasting effects of illness and its treatment. This stage often comes with physical and emotional challenges—ongoing medical appointments, fear of the illness returning, side effects from medication, and shifts in how you see yourself. Yet, it’s also a time when many discover newfound strength, personal growth, and transformation.

Survivorship isn’t simply about being disease-free—it marks a new chapter, a significant milestone. While this path may not be one you expected or wanted, it can lead to deeper self-awareness and a clearer sense of your inner resilience. No two survivorship journeys are the same, and how you move forward is entirely personal.

As you navigate this unfamiliar phase called “survivorship,” know that it’s okay to face uncertainty—and you don’t have to face it alone. There are many resources, communities, and support networks available to walk alongside you every step of the way.

Continued Medical Care

Staying committed to ongoing medical care is essential—be sure to attend all follow-up appointments and follow your provider’s guidance closely.

Adopting healthy coping strategies can make the transition into survivorship smoother and more manageable. Remember, take your time. There’s no need to rush. You’ve already conquered significant challenges, so allow yourself the space to move forward at a pace that feels right for you. Slow and steady truly does win the race.

Regular health checkups play a crucial role in supporting overall well-being and catching potential problems early. This is important for everyone, but it becomes especially vital for those navigating life after serious illness.

For individuals in survivorship, one key reason to keep up with routine medical visits is to watch for any signs of recurrence. While the goal is always full recovery, there remains a chance that the illness could return, even after effective treatment. Consistent checkups help ensure that any changes are identified promptly, allowing for early intervention if necessary.

Managing Other Health Conditions & Healthy Lifestyle Changes, Matters Too!

A survivorship journey may sometimes result in the development of new health issues, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or osteoporosis. Ongoing screenings and consistent monitoring play a key role in managing these conditions and preventing them from becoming more serious.

In addition, regular medical visits offer a chance for your healthcare provider to recommend positive lifestyle adjustments. These might include staying physically active, eating a nutritious diet, managing stress, and avoiding harmful habits like smoking or heavy drinking—all of which can greatly reduce the likelihood of cancer returning or other health complications arising.

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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