WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- Will Reeve revealed that he was diagnosed with testicular cancer at age 34 after discovering a hard, tender lump.
- He underwent an orchiectomy, lymph node surgery and two rounds of chemotherapy after cancer cells spread to his abdomen.
- Reeve experienced ringing in his ears, bone pain, night sweats, blood clots and constant headaches during treatment.
- After completing chemotherapy on July 31, Reeve received clean scans on Sept. 8 and said the cancer is behind him.
- Reeve credited early detection, praised his wife’s caregiving and urged attention to physical changes that could require medical evaluation.
Will Reeve, the son of late “Superman” actor Christopher Reeve, has revealed that he recently underwent treatment for testicular cancer. The 34 year old “Good Morning America” correspondent shared the diagnosis during Tuesday’s show and assured viewers that he is now “OK.”
“The diagnosis was a shock and the treatments were a slog,” Reeve said. “Today, though, I am relieved to announce that we arrived at our destination and this cancer is in the rearview mirror. But what a journey.”
Reeve said the ordeal began when he discovered a “hard, tender lump in [his] left testicle” just a few months after marrying luxury event planner Amanda Dubin. An ultrasound subsequently revealed that he had “a mass that had to come out.”
He underwent surgery to remove the affected testicle, a procedure known as an orchiectomy. Testing showed that the mass was embryonal carcinoma.
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Reeve later learned that some cancer cells had spread to lymph nodes in his abdomen. That discovery led to a second operation to remove the affected lymph nodes.
The procedure took place at Memorial Sloan Kettering, the same institution where his mother, Dana Reeve, died from lung cancer in 2006 at age 44. His father, Christopher Reeve, died in 2004 at age 52.
After the surgeries, Reeve underwent two rounds of chemotherapy intended to reduce the risk that the cancer would return. He described experiencing ringing in his ears, bone pain, night sweats, blood clots and constant headaches as side effects from the medication.
Reeve did not lose his hair during treatment because he used a method called “cold capping.” The technique is used with certain chemotherapy treatments to reduce hair loss by cooling the scalp and constricting blood vessels.
His second round of chemotherapy ended on July 31. Reeve said that scans performed on Sept. 8 came back clean, marking a major turn after months of treatment.
In an interview with People, Reeve said he is “going to be fine,” though he acknowledged that the experience has been “one heck of a chapter.” He credited the early discovery of the cancer with helping him reach a better outcome.
“I’m fortunate that I caught this early,” Reeve said. “Yes, I had to jump through some flaming hoops to get to the other side, but it could have been much worse had I ignored it or delayed going to the doctor.”
Reeve also praised his wife for becoming his “caregiver” throughout the experience. He compared her support with the care his mother provided for his father after a 1995 horseback riding accident left the actor paralyzed.
“I learn[ed] more about what it was like to be my dad in the final nine years of his life, where he had my mom and our family taking care of him,” Reeve said. His cancer treatment gave him a deeply personal view of dependence, caregiving and family support.
Reeve said the experience also taught him how to “repurpose [adversity] into something hopeful.” His announcement focused both on the physical strain of treatment and on the relief of receiving clean scans.
The American Cancer Society identifies testicular cancer as one of the most treatable cancers, particularly when it is detected early. Experts recommend promptly consulting a doctor about any lump, swelling, pain or other change in a testicle.
Fox News Digital contacted Reeve’s representatives to request additional comment. His disclosure followed months of surgeries, chemotherapy and difficult side effects, ending with his announcement that the cancer is now behind him.
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