Premier League cult hero reveals he has aggressive cancer as he urges people to get tested

Shaka Hislop has revealed that he has been battling aggressive prostate cancer.

The 56-year-old Premier League cult hero opened up on his shocking diagnosis in a video posted on social media.

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“I have a story to tell,” Hislop began, speaking to fans on Instagram, as he revealed the news on Wednesday.

“Roughly 18 months ago, I went for my annual physical and insisted on a PSA test, as I always do.

“This time around though, my PSA was elevated.

“An MRI and biopsy quickly determined that I had a fairly aggressive prostate cancer. A year ago, almost to the day, December 6 to be exact, I had a radical prostatectomy. And I thought that was it.

“But then, six months later, my PSA was again on the rise and another scan showed that my prostate cancer had spread to my pelvic bone.

“I started on medication pretty soon after, and just this morning completed seven-and-a-half weeks of radiation therapy.

“The journey continues.”

Hislop is a former goalkeeper who played for West Ham, Newcastle, Portsmouth and Reading throughout his career.

Across his 15-year career, he made over 200 Premier League appearances and was capped 26 times by Trinidad and Tobago.

Post-playing, he has built a reputation as a football pundit and commentator, appearing regularly on ESPN’s coverage.

Instagram @shakahislop

‘Please, go get tested’

Hislop went on to urge people to get tested for prostate cancer, particularly those of Caribbean descent above 40.

“Doctors recommend that all men over the age of 50 get their PSA checked regularly,” he continued on Instagram. “If you’re of African descent, that age drops to 40.

“If you’re somewhere like the UK or somewhere else where PSA tests aren’t encouraged, you have got to insist.

“Having a history of cancer in the family doesn’t matter. I had genetic testing done and it showed no traits in my family, yet this year would show that, without going into too much detail, even that didn’t exclude everybody in my immediate family.

“The highest rate of prostate cancer mortality is in Caribbean men, so allow me to speak to my community, my people.

“Please, go get tested. Know your PSA, track its history.

“Prostate cancer is survivable if caught early enough. There are treatments for it. Testing saves lives. It saved mine.”

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What is prostate cancer and what is a PSA test?

Prostate cancer affects the prostate gland under the bladder and it usually occurs in men over 50 years old, according to the NHS.

It can be successfully treated if it’s diagnosed at an early stage.

Hislop called for people at risk to request a PSA test, which, as described by Prostate Cancer UK, is a blood test that measures the amount of PSA (prostate specific antigen) in the blood.

PSA is a protein made by the prostate gland and high levels in the blood can be a sign of a prostate condition.

You can find out if you’re at risk, the symptoms, possible signs and more on prostate cancer at prostatecanceruk.org.