WWE Legend ‘Hacksaw’ Jim Duggan, 68, Sees the Positives Through Prostate Cancer, Says, ‘Only Six More Weeks of Radiation!’

In a video, Duggan tells fans that he is keeping himself motivated. He says, “Hey folks, I was just in there brushing my teeth, getting ready for bed, feeling sorry for myself. It wasn't that long ago I had kidney cancer. I lost a kidney. Then, just three years ago, I had all the heart problems, where I was in the ICU unit and ended up having an ablation…”

The Glens Falls, NY native continues, “Then, I had two other incidents where I was in the ICU unit, and then I got diagnosed with prostate cancer, they take out my prostate, and I still have to have radiation because the cancer is still in me. I'm sitting here feeling a little sorry for myself…”

But Duggan says he’s not indulging a pity party. “Then I look in the mirror, and the man in the mirror is looking back hard at me,” he says. “And, it's 'Duggan, pull your head out! Stand up straight! God bless that you have only six more weeks of radiation! God bless that you only have six more weeks of radiation!”

Duggan knows the power of positivity, saying, “Look around, looking around, you get it a lot better than a lot of other people. God bless! So, Hacksaw, pull your head out, and I'm going to do it, and folks make sure you get your physicals, save your life!"

Jim Duggan’s Prostate & Kidney Cancer Battles

Duggan shared in October of last year that he was battling prostate cancer for the second time. He previously battled kidney cancer.

In the video, alongside his wife Debra, Duggan said he had been living with the disease for "a couple months" and was preparing to undergo surgery to have his prostate removed. The surgery was initially deemed successful, though his cancer, unfortunately, came back outside of the prostate, though the exact specifics are unclear.

Duggan has also been living with only one kidney since his kidney cancer battle 20 years ago. Once a champ, always a champ. Hacksaw is not going down, and proves he is a tremendous role model in and out of the ring.

Adjusting to Your New Normal After Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

Screening for Prostate Cancer

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests screen for prostate cancer. PSA tests look for PSA in the bloodstream, which could indicate the presence of prostate cancer.

If you have a family history of prostate cancer or other cancers in your family, you should begin screening for prostate cancer earlier than the average person. The current recommendation is to begin screening at age 50 if you have an average risk of prostate cancer.

Those who are at a high risk of developing prostate cancer should start screening at age 40 or 45, depending upon your specific circumstances. Speak with your doctor about what's best for you, and advocate for your health lead each doctor's appointment with a plan.

When Should I Get Tested for Prostate Cancer?

Positivity Through Cancer

Maintaining a positive attitude through a cancer battle like Jim Duggan does can help.

Anecdotal evidence from SurvivorNet experts points to how a positive mindset can impact a cancer prognosis. One oncologist at Cedars-Sinai tells SurvivorNet in an earlier interview, "My patients who thrive, even with stage 4 cancer, from the time that they, about a month after they're diagnosed, I kind of am pretty good at seeing who is going to be OK. Now doesn't that mean I'm good at saying that the cancer won't grow," he says.

"But I'm pretty good at telling what kind of patient are going to still have this attitude and probably going to live the longest, even with bad, bad disease. And those are patients who, they have gratitude in life."

Stay Positive, It Matters

SurvivorNet reporter Marissa Sullivan contributed to this article. 

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