Former Newcastle and West Ham keeper Shaka Hislop has announced that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer after getting a routine check
14:53, 04 Dec 2025
Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shaka Hislop has opened up about his illness
Ex-Premier League goalkeeper Shaka Hislop has revealed that he has been battling aggressive prostate cancer. The former goalkeeper opened up about his diagnosis, revealing that his cancer had spread despite ‘radical’ surgery.
The 56-year-old, who made 221 appearances in the Premier League during his career, opened up about his treatment and cancer journey in a video posted on Instagram.
“I have a story to tell,” he said. “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 rose to stardom with Reading in 1992 before going on to appear for Newcastle United, West Ham United and Portsmouth. He ended his career with FC Dallas in the US.
After featuring for England Under-21s, the Hackney-born star went on to represent Trinidad and Tobago in the 2006 World Cup.
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Post-career, the ex-goalkeeper took the step into the punditry world and has primarily worked for ESPN. He covers Premier League games, often attending Newcastle fixtures.
Following his announcement, Hislop made an emotional plea, urging men everywhere to undergo regular screenings. “Doctors recommend that all men over the age of 50 get their PSA checked regularly,” he said. “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.”
