Dick Vitale reveals incredible health update, declared 'cancer free' by doctors

by:Austin Brezina08/17/22

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Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images

Beloved ESPN and college basketball personality Dick Vitale shared great news on Wednesday after being declared “cancer free” by doctors. Vitale was diagnosed with two forms of cancer last year, melanoma and lymphoma, and underwent multiple surgeries and chemotherapy for treatment. Although optimistic and cheerful at the time as he always is, Vitale’s public battle with cancer showed a first-hand look at what people go through during the treatment process.

Now, it appears his treatment has given Vitale a renewed reason to be optimistic — sharing the news via social media on Wednesday.

Dick Vitale receives cancer-free diagnosis

“Dr. Rick Brown just notified me with my results of my major PET scan & told me news I wish EVERY cancer patient can hear,” started Vitale. “He said ‘Dick you have gone from being in remission to being CANCER FREE!’ Thank you to ALL of YOU that have sent me [prayers].”

The college basketball world was sent into shock last November at the news that Vitale had been diagnosed with a second form of cancer so soon after his melanoma diagnosis. The former NBA coach underwent multiple surgeries to remove melanoma, which was ruled clear at the time. Vitale shared that he was told by doctors that the two cancers were unrelated, but the lymphoma diagnosis began another taxing treatment for the now-83-year-old broadcaster.

“The plan is to treat my lymphoma with steroids and six months of chemotherapy,” Dick Vitale previously wrote in a letter on ESPN explaining his treatments. “The medical experts tell me it has a 90% cure rate. They say I can continue to work so I will have to manage my work schedule around my chemo schedule as they will monitor my test results along the way.”

“I will fight with all my heart in dealing with the chemo.”

On Wednesday, Vitale got the wonderful news and it will be no surprise at all if he continues to become one of the biggest advocates for cancer research and treatment.