Former Premier League goalkeeper Shaka Hislop has revealed he is being treated for an aggressive form of prostate cancer and is urging men, particularly of Caribbean heritage, to get tested.

Hislop, 56, who played for Newcastle United, West Ham, and Portsmouth, shared his story in a video on Instagram, highlighting the importance of early detection.

Hislop’s Diagnosis and Treatment

Hislop explained that his prostate cancer was first detected following an elevated PSA test during a routine check-up around 18 months ago. Subsequent MRI and biopsy confirmed a fairly aggressive form of the disease.

“A year ago, almost to the day, I had a radical prostatectomy. I thought that was it. But six months later, my PSA was again on the rise, and scans showed the cancer had spread to my pelvic bone,” Hislop said.

He recently completed seven and a half weeks of radiation therapy and shared a video of himself ringing a bell at Massachusetts General Hospital to mark the milestone.

Message to the Community

Hislop highlighted that one in four men of Black African or Caribbean ancestry are affected by prostate cancer, compared to one in eight men of white European ancestry, according to the Institute of Cancer Research.

“Allow me to speak to my community, my people. Please, go get tested. Know your PSA, track its history,” Hislop said.
“Prostate cancer is survivable if caught early enough. There are treatments for it. Testing saves lives. It saved mine.”

Hislop’s message underscores the critical importance of early screening and awareness, particularly in communities at higher risk.