Stephen A. Smith Stunned by Unexpected Announcement From ESPN Colleague

Harris, 60, shared that will undergo prostate cancer surgery next week. He wrote an essay on ESPN's PR website, saying this news was given to him about a month ago. 

"It’s jarring news for sure, yet unfortunately, it’s not unexpected, given my family history and demographic," Harris wrote. "Prostate cancer disproportionately affects Black men. My dad had a bout with prostate cancer, which he won.

"I’m 60. It’s something I’ve always been cognizant of, and my doctor and I talk about it every annual visit," he continued. "And I’m sharing it all with my 26-year-old son. Maybe I’m oversharing at times — lol — but he needs to know."

Harris wants to bring awareness to getting screened for early detection. But he also wants to share his journey as motivation for others.

About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, which is the second-leading cause of death from cancer among American men, according to the American Cancer Society. About 6 in 10 cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed in men who are 65 and older, and African American men are at a higher risk, per the ACS.

"Whenever I’ve mentioned my diagnosis, invariably I’ve gotten, 'Oh, my cousin did the radiation,' or 'My father had the surgery,' or 'My uncle went through that years ago. Do you want me to ask him to call you?'" Harris wrote. 

"If there’s been a best part to this, that’s been it," he added.