Shaka Hislop, one of the Premier League’s most respected former goalkeepers and now a widely admired television analyst, has revealed he is undergoing treatment for an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
Hislop, 56, enjoyed a distinguished top-flight career across the 1990s and early 2000s, representing Reading, Newcastle United, West Ham United and Portsmouth in a 15-year spell that also included 26 caps for Trinidad and Tobago and a place in their historic 2006 World Cup squad.
Since retiring in 2007, he has become a central figure on ESPN’s football coverage, renowned for his authority, candour and measured analysis.
In an emotional message to supporters on Instagram, Hislop disclosed that a routine medical appointment 18 months ago led to a sequence of tests that uncovered a serious diagnosis.
“I have a story to tell,” he began. “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.”
Shaka Hislop played for West Ham, Newcastle and Portsmouth in the Premier League | PAThe former goalkeeper, who twice played in FA Cup finals and was part of Newcastle’s title-challenging sides under Kevin Keegan, said the relief was short-lived.
“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," he stated.
"I started on medication pretty soon after, and just this morning completed seven-and-a-half weeks of radiation therapy. The journey continues.”
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Hislop used the announcement to issue a direct appeal to men - particularly those at higher statistical risk - to take regular testing seriously.
“Doctors recommend that all men over the age of 50 get their PSA checked regularly. If you’re of African descent, that age drops to 40,” he said.
“If you’re somewhere like the UK or somewhere else where PSA tests aren’t encouraged, you have got to insist.”
He emphasised that family history alone cannot be relied upon as an indicator of risk.
“Having a history of cancer in the family doesn’t matter," he said.
"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.”
Shaka Hislop pictured during his time as a player at West Ham
|PA
Addressing those from his own heritage, Hislop added a personal plea.
“The highest rate of prostate cancer mortality is in Caribbean men, so allow me to speak to my community, my people," he said.
"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.”
The announcement prompted an outpouring of support from across football and broadcasting, with everybody hoping the former goalkeeper is able to make a full recovery.