Former Black Stars coach Chris Hughton has been diagnosed with prostatecancer.The 67-year-old received his diagnosis in April last year and underwent surgery to remove his prostate in May.His cancer was detected early, and the operation was a success. He has made a strong recovery and is once again cancer-free.Hughton, a formerTottenhamand Republic of Ireland defender who had spells as manager of Newcastle andBrightonin thePremier League, wants to use his experience to raise awareness about the risks.”The news certainly didnt scare me,’ said Hughton as he discussed his health for the first time.”I know everyone is different, but my first impression was ‘Ill be fine. ‘ I didnt instantly think ‘this is probably just going to kill me.” I just thought, “OK, well have to do what we have to do.”Hughton first picked up warning signs about his prostate when he was Brighton manager on a routine annual health check made available by the League Managers Association to members.He fell into a high-risk category: over 50 with a family history of the disease and black. One in four black men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. He had blood tests to check hisPSA (prostate-specific antigens) levels every six months and has been a strong supporter of the Prostate Cancer UK charity for years.Last year, the levels spiked, and a subsequent scan detected cancer.”I had very good advice, and all the treatment options were given to me, and I decided to have my prostate removed. The recovery has gone really well.”Im one year post-operation, and I feel good.Its all gone very well. Ive got a lot of energy. Keeping active and busy is part of how I am anyway, but its also aboutrehabilitation and keeping your mind active as well.”Im very comfortable with my prognosis and my post-operation feelings. Im in a really good place.”Hughton, who won the FA Cup and UEFA Cup with Spurs and won 53 caps for the Republic of Ireland, also managed Birmingham, Norwich and Nottingham Forest.Chris Hughton, who replaced Otto Addo after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, was sacked in 2024 after the Black Stars suffered group phase elimination during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosted in Ivory Coast.



Source link