Terry Bradshaw's Battle With Cancer
- Terry Bradshaw, a 74-year-old Pro Football Hall of Famer and analyst for Fox Sports, has sold his $22.5 million 744-acre Oklahoma ranch, a decision he dubs as him and his wife’s “perfect sunset opportunity.”
- Bradshaw’s ranch sold following the TV broadcaster’s battle with two different forms of bladder cancer and Merkel cell carcinoma.
- Bladder cancer develops when cells that make up the urinary bladder start to grow and eventually develop into tumors. It is highly treatable when caught in the early stages of the disease.
- Blood in the urine, or hematuria, is the most common symptom of bladder cancer, but there are other signs of the disease. One of our experts says the best way to avoid bladder cancer is to “hydrate well, don’t smoke and make sure that you get in to see your physician if you have symptoms that concern you.”
The 75-year-old bladder and neck cancer survivor, who rose to fame on the football field playing for the NFL throughout the 1970s and 1980s and now works as a football analyst, sold his sold his home through a Dallas-based real estate sales and consulting firm known as Icon Global Group.
Read More“The ranch is being re-developed and marketed as a large-scale premiere breeding, training, and sales preparation facility catering to several different aspects of the American Quarter Horse industry,” the Icon Global Group announced in a press release on November 7.View this post on Instagram
“The facility will stand a variety of specialty proven stallions for breeding, provide embryo transfer as well as other niche management and breeding practices focused on augmenting various alternative breeder, trainer, and competitor needs in the rapidly growing sector of the horse industry.”
According to the Dallas-based firm, Billy, and Suzzone Franks of Texas, along with Chad and Tiffeny Beus, have purchased the property as a joint venture due to its “very central geographical location to all points within the region, especially central to Texas and Oklahoma.”
Expert Bladder Cancer Resources
- Digital Guide: Treating Metastatic Bladder Cancer
- Can Metastatic Bladder Cancer Be Treated With Immunotherapy?
- Bladder Cancer: Key Terms to Know
- Antibody Drug Conjugates: How is This Type of Cancer Drug Used to Treat Advanced-Stage Bladder Cancer?
- Can Urinary Tract Infections Cause Bladder Cancer?
- Digital Guide: Bladder Cancer & Surgery
- Bladder and Prostate Cancer Misinformation is ‘Common’ on YouTube; How to Find Quality Intel
- I’ve Just Been Diagnosed With Bladder Cancer, What Should I Ask my Doctor?
Bradshaw, who impressively overcame overcame both bladder and skin cancer, completed the big sale approximately one year after the former pro footballer listed the property for sale. Now he’s set to move to Texas, although it’s unknown where exactly he will call home next in The Lone Star State.
The football icon stated in the press release, “The decision-making process to finally selling has been a long and winding road. Along the way, we have been presented with and considered many great offers, opportunities, and proposals.
“However, between my own schedule, the TV series, my family’s changing needs, our horse and cattle business, as well as many other commitments, neither timing nor opportunity was ever on our side or completely aligned.”
View this post on Instagram
The four-time Super Bowl winner continued, “Plus, and frankly, I loved this ranch so much, having built it from the ground up, so I was very tied to it. Tammy and I really didn’t want to make the final break until we found our perfect sunset opportunity to do what we enjoy on a smaller scale and in a place, we absolutely love, and we found that.
“Working with Bernie Uechtritz and his Team over at Icon Global has really been phenomenal. Tammy and I appreciate Bernie’s long-time professionalism, patience, personality, and counsel. I sincerely recommend Icon Global to anyone within the equestrian, ranching, and land business needs, whether simplistic or especially complex like our deal.”
Terry Bradshaw’s Cancer Journey
Terry Bradshaw shared details about his battles with two forms of cancer last year. He was diagnosed with bladder cancer in November 2021.
Bladder cancer develops when cells that make up the urinary bladder start to grow and eventually develop into tumors. [It’s worth noting that the National Cancer Institute puts it as the sixth most common type of cancer overall in the U.S.]
Dr. Jay Shah, the cancer care program leader for urologic oncology at the Stanford Cancer Center, previously told SurvivorNet, “Bladder cancer is one of those cancers that you don’t hear about too often.”
Bladder cancer, which is highly treatable when found early, can often be detected early because the main first sign of the disease is hematuria, or blood appearing in your urine. This blood can change the urine’s color to orange, pink and, in some extreme cases, dark red.
Bradshaw underwent surgery and other treatment before being declared cancer-free.
During today's show, Terry Bradshaw shared that he has been battling cancer over the past year. As of today, he is cancer free, and he discussed his fight and plan for the future: pic.twitter.com/RSwVxlXC97
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 2, 2022
However, months later, Bradshaw’s doctors discovered a tumor in the left side of his neck as he was undergoing an MRI for neck pain. A biopsy later confirmed it was merkel cell carcinoma, which the National Cancer Institute describes as “a very rare disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the skin.”
“Merkel cells are found in the top layer of the skin. These cells are very close to the nerve endings that receive the sensation of touch,” the NCI says.
Merkel cell carcinoma tends to grow fast and spread quickly to other parts of the body. The tumor may be skin-colored or shades of red, blue, or purple and may be painless.
Bradshaw underwent surgery, followed by radiation therapy, to treat the disease. His side effects included swelling in his face from the radiation. The cancer warrior shared a bit of his cancer journey in a Sept. 29, 2022, Facebook Live video.
“This side of my face is partially numb. It’s gonna take a while,” e said in the video post.
A few weeks later, Bradshaw was back on air fulfilling his pre-game hosting duties as an NFL analyst. During the segment, he spoke openly about his cancer journey, explaining, “In November, I was diagnosed with bladder cancer. I went to the Yale University Medical Center for surgery, treatment. As of today, I am bladder cancer-free. Alright, that’s the good news.”
RELATED: Guide To Bladder Cancer
Bradshaw went on to share his skin cancer diagnosis with concerned fans who saw him lose his breath during a television segment a week earlier.
“Folks, I may not look like my old self, but I feel like my old self,” he concluded. “I’m cancer-free, I’m feeling great. And over time, I’m going to be back to where I normally am. So I appreciate your prayers and your concern.”
Questions To Ask Your Doctor After Being Diagnosed With Bladder Cancer
A new bladder cancer diagnosis can feel incredibly overwhelming. That’s why it’s important to prepare for your cancer journey by asking your doctor the right questions.
Knowing what to expect during and after treatment can help relieve stress and make a difficult experience more manageable. It also gives you time to plan and make arrangements for any care you may need.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Bladder Cancer?
“I tell all my patients that we’re gonna get to know each other really well,” says Dr. Shah.
“You need to develop a relationship with your urologist because once you have bladder cancer, you need to have someone that’s following you regularly for the rest of your life.”
Asking questions helps you learn more about your healthcare team’s experience treating bladder cancer and begin forming a relationship with them. Your doctor should be happy to answer your questions, so don’t hesitate to speak up.
Consider asking your healthcare team the following questions:
- What type of cancer do I have?
- What stage is the cancer?
- Has the cancer spread to other organs? If so, where?
- What does my prognosis look like?
- Should I see a genetic counselor for testing?
- Should any of my family members be tested?
- Will I have a better chance of success if I travel to a cancer treatment center instead of seeing a local urologist?
- Should I consider getting a second opinion?
Knowledge is power. By speaking with your doctor and finding answers to these questions, you can learn more about your bladder cancer diagnosis and make informed decisions about your treatment options.
Finding Bladder Cancer Support
Support for anyone battling bladder cancer is important during and after cancer treatment. Ask your doctor about community organizations, support groups and other resources to help you connect with others.
RELATED: Guidance for Cancer Caregivers
Consider asking your health team the following questions:
- Are there any resources available specifically for bladder cancer patients?
- Should I speak with other patients who have had the same diagnosis?
- Are there any support groups in my area?
- Are there resources for paying medical bills?
- Who should I contact for more information regarding these resources?
- How do I find out what my insurance will/won’t cover?
Remaining positive throughout your journey, just as Bradshaw did with the help of his wife, Tammy, who he’s been married to since 2014, will help you successfully manage your symptoms and take advantage of opportunities for support.
Get the answers to all of your questions so you can start your bladder cancer journey with the peace of mind that comes from knowing what to expect.
Finding Joy During & After Cancer Treatment
It’s great to see Bradshaw and his wife doing what they love in life, especially after battling disease. In fact, Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, previously told SurvivorNet, “A positive attitude is really important.”
WATCH: Maintaining A Positive Headspace During Cancer Journey.
Dr. Dana Chase, gynecologic oncologist at UCLA Health, says that emotional health and good quality of life is associated with better survival and better outcomes.
“So definitely working on your emotional health, your physical well-being, your social environment, your emotional well-being, definitely working on those things and making them better are important and can impact your survival,” Dr. Chase told SurvivorNet.
WATCH: “Do All the Things You Love, Now” — Baltimore Ovarian Cancer Survivor Rhonda Gold’s Story
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
