Proud Dad Alert!
- TODAY co-host Al Roker, 67, is experiencing a proud family milestone: his son Nick, 19, just graduated from a private special needs school in New York City.
- The prostate cancer survivor was all smiles in an Instagram post commemorating the grad, which serves as a bonus reminder for people to get in and get their screenings.
- Black Americans are more at risk than white Americans for getting diagnosed with prostate cancer, according to an expert to SurvivorNet, therefore it is even more imperative that African-Americans get checked.
“Where else would we celebrate Nick Roker's graduation but with our extended family at @frescobyscotto and my man, @anthonyscottojr,” Roker wrote on his Instagram with the owner of their post-grad party spot, Fresco by Scotto Italian restaurant in New York City.
Read MoreView this post on Instagram“What a day this had been! A heart full of joy and gratitude! Happy graduation day Nick Roker,” his “#proudmama” wrote on her own social media. “Your village has never failed!'”
Nick, who once struggled to walk and talk as a toddler, has worked hard to overcome his developmental issues. Not only did he push forward with school, he even holds a black belt in taekwondo.
“Do I get frustrated with my son sometimes? You bet,” Al wrote in a personal essay with TODAY a few years ago. “But then I remember my dad, how understanding he was. And Deborah reminds me that I have to show my son not only that I love him but that I like him as well. More than that, I admire him.”
Nick is the baby of the family of three children, and is “somewhere on the (autism) spectrum and maybe obsessive-compulsive,” Al had shared.
“But those labels can be frustrating; they don't begin to describe who Nick really is,” he added.
The tight-knit family also recently celebrated father’s day together, with Roker giving a thumbs up while out eating at a BBQ joint.
“What a joyous day celebrating this father who shows up and makes it count,” his wife Deborah wrote.
Al's Prostate Cancer Journey
In November 2020, Roker announced on-air that he had been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. He continued to be public about his battle with prostate cancer, and transparent around his treatment. Roker opted for surgery to treat his prostate cancer.
Roker recalls how a routine exam revealed his prostate cancer. Thinking everything would be okay, he told his wife she didn't need to accompany him to his appointment. "It was a scheduled 'let's go over the results of your biopsy' [type of thing]," says Roker. "The doctor closed the door and told Al, 'I like to give these results in person,'" he recalls in an earlier interview.
Roker remembers how he thought for a moment: "Is there any way I could do this without telling [my wife] Deborah? Because she'll be furious she wasn't here." Roker says Deborah's journalistic skills went into "over-drive" after his diagnosis.
PSA Screening for Cancer
Roker has publicly stressed the importance of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests for men, which 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.
Related: Staggeringly Higher Prostate Cancer Rates for Black Men
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?
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
