Esteemed travel host Rick Steves announces prostate cancer diagnosis, will undergo surgery

SEATTLE — Esteemed television and radio travel host Rick Steves announced on social media Wednesday that he’s been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

“I’d like to take a moment to share some important news,” Steves wrote in a Facebook post. “I have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. My doctor assures me that if you’re going to get cancer, this is a good kind to get, and careful scans show no sign of it having spread. There is a clear path forward to getting healthy, and this fall, I’ll be in the hospital for a few days having prostate surgery.”

Despite the diagnosis, Steves said his doctors have given him the green light to continue filming two new shows in France for the next three weeks before returning home to Edmonds by mid-September.

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Steves said he’ll likely undergo surgery in late September and will hopefully be cancer-free and back to work by the end of October.

“I have great trust in my doctor and in Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center,” Steves wrote. “And I have lots more to be thankful for including the support of friends and loved ones and a strong faith that I’m in good hands.”

Steves wrote that he feels fortunate to have never spent a night in the hospital, and he finds himself going into this adventure as though it’s “some amazing, really important trip.”

He ended his announcement by saying he feels good about his positive outlook regarding his situation, and he expects to take home “intangible souvenirs” like appreciation for the vibrancy in the little things, goodness in people, and the treasure of friends and family.

“I’m looking forward to many more years of happy travels, exciting collaborations, and beautiful friendships,” Steves wrote to conclude his Facebook post. “Thank you for your love and support.”

According to the National Cancer Institute, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men in the country.

Steves refers to himself on his website as America’s most respected authority on European travel. Through his work, he aims to empower Americans to have European trips that are fun, affordable, and culturally broadening.

He started his Edmonds-based business, Rick Steves’ Europe, in 1976, where he produced a best-selling guidebook series, a public television show, a weekly radio show, and a syndicated travel column. According to Steves’ website,his office window overlooks his old junior high school.