‘All My Children’ Star Colin Egglesfield, 52, As He Faced Three Cancer Diagnoses– His Bravery & Real Life Struggle Beyond Fictional Pine Valley Hospital
‘All My Children’ Star Colin Egglesfield, 52, As He Faced Three Cancer Diagnoses– His Bravery & Real Life Struggle Beyond Fictional Pine Valley Hospital
“All My Children” star Colin Egglesfield, 52, has battled cancer three times, testicular cancer in 2006 and 2007 after he experienced a recurrence. Then, after undergoing treatment, he was later diagnosed with prostate cancer following routine screening. He underwent surgery for prostate cancer in January of 2025 and says he was declared “cancer-free” a month later.
Testicular cancer begins in the cells that make sperm. Fortunately for men with this kind of cancer, “it can be cured, even if diagnosed at an advanced stage,” according to the National Cancer Institute.
Testicular cancer often comes with stigma and shame for people diagnosed with the disease, sometimes preventing them from talking about it openly.
Prostate cancer surgery is one treatment avenue for men grappling with this disease. However, surgery may bring forth lingering side effects, such as erectile dysfunction. Thankfully, there are avenues available to alleviate some of these challenges.
Egglesfield highlights the emotional toll a diagnosis can have on a patient’s mental health. To help manage your mental health while coping with a diagnosis, some helpful tips include leaning on your support group, journaling, and/or seeking a mental health professional.
Actor and cancer survivor Colin Egglesfield, best known for his role on “All My Children,” is no stranger to life’s toughest battles. At 52, he’s faced cancer three times—twice testicular, once prostate—and emerged with a message of empowerment for others still in the fight.
“You get to decide who you choose to be in the face of all of this,” Egglesfield says on his “Beyond Impact” podcast, offering encouragement to fellow cancer warriors.
His journey began in 2006, just six months into his breakout role as Josh Madden on the daytime soap opera. Egglesfield was diagnosed with testicular cancer and underwent surgery and radiation—quietly, without telling his colleagues.
Testicular cancer begins in the cells that make sperm. Fortunately for men with this kind of cancer, “it can be cured, even if diagnosed at an advanced stage,” according to the National Cancer Institute.
Colin Was Reluctant to Tell Others About His Diagnosis
“Being on a TV show and being new to it, I was afraid to tell anyone at work,” he told Patient Power. “I had my surgery, and it happened to coincide where I didn’t have to tell anyone at work until three weeks into my radiation treatment.”
Some people battling a disease or cancer are open to sharing their experiences as much as they can, while others prefer to keep it to themselves or close loved ones. SurvivorNet experts say both approaches, and everything in between, are valid.
WATCH: Sharing a Diagnosis
“Patients who have just been diagnosed with cancer sometimes wonder how they are going to handle the diagnosis of the cancer in social situations,” psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchikexplains.
Questions like “How much information should they share and with whom should they share the information?” are things Plutchik says patients take into consideration.
Dr. Plutchik explains, “There is no one right way to handle this diagnosis. People should do what feels right to them.”
A cancer journey can last months to years, which means cancer warriors may be experiencing a lot of uncertainty until they fully understand where their health stands. This uncertainty can influence when a cancer patient is ready to share their diagnosis, Dr. Plutchik further explained.
Dr. Plutchik stresses that those close to a person going through cancer should be respectful of their wishes when it comes to disclosing their diagnosis and seeking support.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 30: Colin Egglesfield attends The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis’ 39th Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner, at the Hilton Midtown on September 30, 2024, in New York City. The event raises the much-needed funds for The Buoniconti Fund, the fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, a designated Center of Excellence at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, and the world’s premier spinal cord injury research center. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for The Buoniconti Fund To Cure Paralysis)
As radiation therapy side effects, which may include fatigue and hair loss, set in, hiding his diagnosis became increasingly difficult. When he finally shared the news, he was met not with judgment, but compassion.
“They worked around my schedule and asked me if I needed time off,” he recalled.
A year later, Egglesfield faced a recurrence, meaning the cancer had returned—this time on the opposite side—and underwent another surgery. Determined to stay vigilant, he kept up with regular checkups. That diligence paid off: doctors later discovered he had prostate cancer.
After Testicular Cancer Came Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. It starts in the walnut-shaped prostate gland between the rectum and bladder, producing the fluid that nourishes sperm. Fortunately, most prostate cancer is caught with screening examinations.
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 more significant amounts of protein-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 Taskforce recommends men at average risk between the ages of 55 and 69 years old should talk with their doctor about the pros and cons of prostate cancer screening.
The American Cancer Society recommends that men at age 50 who are at average risk should begin screening. 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.
Most doctors agree that men over the age of 70 do not need screening.
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
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 01: Colin Egglesfield attends the Cadillac Oscar Week Celebration at Chateau Marmont on March 1, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
“I took a year to take a look at what my treatment options were and finally decided to have surgery,” he said of his decision, which led to a successful operation in January 2025.
Though the physical toll was significant, Egglesfield emphasizes the deeper emotional and psychological impact of cancer.
“You really learn a lot from cancer. Our priorities change. Everything that once seemed so important really has no meaning anymore. ‘Yep,’ he shared on his podcast.
He often references a quote from “Good Morning America” anchor and fellow survivor Robin Roberts: “She says, your mess is your message.”
That sentiment has become central to Egglesfield’s advocacy work. For nearly two decades, he’s used his platform to speak about resilience, identity, and the power of choice.
“It’s very easy to let our outside experiences get us down and define the way in which we wake up every morning,” he said. “The only thing we have is our ability to decide who we choose to be in the face of whatever we face in life.”
If you are facing a cancer diagnosis, your emotions are likely to run high, which is completely normal. Dr. Plutchik says emotions are often fluid when coping with a diagnosis.
“The patient or person going through the stressful event should accept that emotions will be fluid. You may feel fine one day and then feel a massive wave of stress the next. It’s also important for those you look to for support, whether that’s a therapist, friends, and family, or both, to understand the fluidity of stress-related emotions,” Dr. Plutchik said.
WATCH: How to cope with complex and changing emotions.
If a stressful event affects how you think and feel, it may be time to seek mental health treatment. This could mean traditional talk therapy, medication, changing lifestyle habits (like exercise and diet), seeking a support group, or many other approaches.
SurvivorNet experts suggest women needing a little extra help coping with a breast cancer diagnosis.
Let your family and close friends know, and let them help. So many cancer survivors tell us they want and need support, but are often too preoccupied to make specific requests. Urge those close to you to jump in with whatever practical help they can offer.
Keep a journal. It can be extremely cathartic to let those feelings loose on paper. Grab a pen and a nice journal and chronicle your thoughts throughout the day.
Join a cancer support group. Groups in nearly every community offer opportunities to connect with others going through a similar journey. You’ll learn constructive insight from others who can tell you what to expect and how to stay strong on tough days.
Consider seeing a therapist. Ask your doctor to refer you to a therapist so you can discuss your fears and concerns in a safe space. Often, vocalizing your thoughts and feelings rather than internalizing them can provide relief.
MALIBU, CA – SEPTEMBER 14: Actor Colin Egglesfield attends the Nautica Malibu Triathlon Presented by Equinox at Zuma Beach on September 14, 2014 in Malibu, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images for Konnect PR / Nautica)
Now “cancer-free,” Egglesfield continues to share his story with added purpose.
“I don’t wish cancer on anyone, but what it does is it creates an urgency in your life that if you want to do something, go do it, because tomorrow is not promised,” he told WLS News.
“It’s important not to let your circumstances or your outside environment dictate what your mental state of being is,” he added. “Much like acting, where we decide who our character is, you get to decide who you get to be in the face of all of this.”
A testicular cancer diagnosis is rare, but it is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in young men.
Depending on the stage, the disease is considered highly treatable. Treatment options can include chemotherapy and radiation, but often, the first line of treatment is surgery to remove the testicle, which contains the cancerous cells.
Symptoms of testicular cancer can be subtle. Some people may even confuse the early symptoms, such as a small mass in their testicle, with an injury. But when these signs are dismissed, the cancer can grow and become worse.
Dr. Edwin Posadas, the medical director of the Urologic Oncology Program at Cedars-Sinai Cancer, previously told SurvivorNet that some men may even notice blood in their ejaculate as a result of testicular cancer. “This symptom is less common but always bad,” he said.
“It’s not uncommon to see men come in with masses on their scrotum and have inflammation of the scrotal wall; they develop pain as a result. A lump is the most common symptom of testicular cancer,” Dr. Posadas adds.
Men should regularly conduct self-exams of their testicles for anything unusual.
Testicular Cancer symptoms can include:
Breast growth or soreness
Early puberty in boys
Low back pain (a potential symptom of advanced testicular cancer)
Shortness of breath, chest pain, or a cough (a possible symptom of advanced testicular cancer)
Belly pain (a possible symptom of advanced testicular cancer)
Headaches or confusion (a possible symptom of advanced testicular cancer)
Questions for Your Doctor
If you are facing testicular cancer and want to understand your diagnosis better, consider the following questions for your doctor.
Has my testicular cancer spread beyond the testicle?
What stage is my cancer in?
What other tests should I expect as I continue learning more about the disease?
What are my treatment options?
What side effects should I expect with the recommended treatment?
ANSWER QUESTIONS
