Bryant Gumbel, the host of “ HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” is being treated for lung cancer. Bryant recently underwent surgery to remove a growth in his lung. The lung mass is definitely cancerous and he is undergoing the standard cancer treatment.
Bryant Gumbel has been a long time smoker and smoking is a known risk factor for lung cancer. Bryant was a guest recently on the “Live! With Regis & Kelly” show and talked about his cancer.
Gumbel told the viewers that he had not been feeling well and went to his doctor and subsequent work up revealed a suspicious lung mass.
Said Bryant, “They opened up my chest; they took a malignant tumor, part of my lung and some other goodies. The pathology on most of the stuff came back benign but enough aggressive cells had escaped the tumor that it warranted some treatment.”
Gumbel kept the diagnosis and treatment details private until now, “We had told a few people. We told my family, obviously,” Gumbel said. “I even kept it from my staff at ‘Real Sports. ”
Lung cancer is a leading cause of death in both men and women who smoke. The treatment of lung cancer is usually surgery combined with radiation or chemotherapy and the results overall are poor if the diagnosis is delayed. Lung cancer is a preventable disorder says the American Cancer Society.
Gumbel went on to say, “I’m OK for the time being.” He added that he will undergo more testing and follow up over the next few months and hopefully get the all clear to move on back with his life.