TV Broadcaster Terry Bradshaw, 74, Had Negative Outlook After 2nd Cancer Diagnosis, But His Wife Picked Him Up – The Importance of a Supportive Partner

“My wife was good. She said, ‘Hey, you're going to beat this. You're a positive man. We got the best doctors.’ And so away we went,” Bradshaw recounted in an interview with Coping magazine.

“My wife was constantly asking questions, she researched everything, she called the doctor, and she had a lot of answers for me. And that was good. I always had her, and she was always loving,” he continued.

“She was always telling me how much she loves me. That's the most important thing those that you love are there for you to lift you up. And it just fills your heart with joy, just absolute joy.”

Terry is a Pro Football Hall of Famer, an analyst for Fox Sports, and star of the reality series “The Bradshaw Bunch” on the E! network.

He said he also found help from others in a support group. He told the magazine, “I hooked up with a group of men that had all kinds of cancers.

“And we have a little chat box we do about every two weeks, and everybody's checking on everybody. So, I got a little family there.”

After all the sports star has been through, Bradshaw insists, “I still love what I’m doing.”

“I still love working at FOX. I love doing the football show,” he explained. “I still love horses and that business. I give corporate speeches. I love being on stage. I love entertaining people. I just want to keep on keeping on. So just, no changes.”

Terry Bradshaw's Cancer Journey

Terry Bradshaw shared details about his battles with two forms of cancer last year. He was diagnosed with bladder cancer in November 2021.

Bladder cancer develops when cells that make up the urinary bladder start to grow and eventually develop into tumors. [It's worth noting that the National Cancer Institute puts it as the sixth most common type of cancer overall in the U.S.]

Dr. Jay Shah, the cancer care program leader for urologic oncology at the Stanford Cancer Center, previously told SurvivorNet, “Bladder cancer is one of those cancers that you don't hear about too often.”

Bladder cancer, which is highly treatable when found early, can often be detected early because the main first sign of the disease is hematuria, or blood appearing in your urine. This blood can change the urine's color to orange, pink and, in some extreme cases, dark red.

Bradshaw underwent surgery and other treatment before being declared cancer-free.

During today's show, Terry Bradshaw shared that he has been battling cancer over the past year. As of today, he is cancer free, and he discussed his fight and plan for the future: pic.twitter.com/RSwVxlXC97

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 2, 2022

However, months later, Bradshaw’s doctors discovered a tumor in the left side of his neck as he was undergoing an MRI for neck pain. A biopsy later confirmed it was merkel cell carcinoma, which the National Cancer Institute describes as “a very rare disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the skin.”

“Merkel cells are found in the top layer of the skin. These cells are very close to the nerve endings that receive the sensation of touch,” the NCI says.

Merkel cell carcinoma tends to grow fast and spread quickly to other parts of the body. The tumor may be skin-colored or shades of red, blue, or purple and may be painless.

Bradshaw underwent surgery, followed by radiation therapy, to treat the disease. His side effects included swelling in his face from the radiation. The cancer warrior shared a bit of his cancer journey in a Sept. 29, 2022, Facebook Live video.

“This side of my face is partially numb… It's gonna take a while," he said in the video post.

A few weeks later, Bradshaw was back on air fulfilling his pre-game hosting duties as an NFL analyst. During the segment, he spoke openly about his cancer journey, explaining, “In November, I was diagnosed with bladder cancer. I went to the Yale University Medical Center surgery, treatment. As of today, I am bladder cancer-free. Alright, that's the good news.”

RELATED: Guide To Bladder Cancer

Bradshaw went on to share his skin cancer diagnosis with concerned fans who saw him lose his breath during a television segment a week earlier.

“Folks, I may not look like my old self, but I feel like my old self,” he concluded. “I'm cancer-free, I'm feeling great. And over time, I'm going to be back to where I normally am. So I appreciate your prayers and your concern.”

Supporting a Spouse Through Cancer

It is important for cancer warriors in the midst of their fight to have a strong support system, just as Terry Bradshaw said he had in his wife.

Having a partner, friend, or family member by your side to help care for and support you through a health struggle can be advantageous.

And when a loved one takes on a caregiving role, it's necessary to understand the person’s diagnosis and assist them when following cancer-care instructions.

Dr. Jayanthi Lea, a gynecologic oncologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center, previously told SurvivorNet, “I encourage caregivers to come into visits with my patients because in that way, the caregiver is also listening to the recommendations what should be done in between these visits, any changes in treatment plans, any toxicities [side effects] that we need to look out for, changes in dietary habits, exercise, etc.”

If you are a caregiver of a cancer warrior, it is important to maintain your own mental and physical health as well.

“Caregiving is the most important job in the universe because you are there through the highs and lows,” Julie Bulger manager of patient and family-centered care at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center told SurvivorNet.

“You are there to support your loved one, to manage all of the daily tasks as everything is changing in your life.”

Two-time Cancer Survivor Bianca Muniz On How She Found A Support System Amid Treatment

Caregivers must also watch out for “caregiver burnout,” where stress, anger, fatigue, and illness emerge from putting another person's needs ahead of their own.

If you are a caregiver and find yourself struggling to care for a cancer warrior, you should seek out a therapist, or a support group of their own either online or in person.

Questions To Ask Your Doctor After Being Diagnosed With Bladder Cancer

A new bladder cancer diagnosis can feel incredibly overwhelming. That’s why it’s important to prepare for your cancer journey by asking your doctor the right questions. 

Knowing what to expect during and after treatment can help relieve stress and make a difficult experience more manageable. It also gives you time to plan and make arrangements for any care you may need.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Bladder Cancer?

“I tell all my patients that we're gonna get to know each other really well,” says Dr. Shah.

“You need to develop a relationship with your urologist because once you have bladder cancer, you need to have someone that's following you regularly for the rest of your life.”

Asking questions helps you learn more about your healthcare team's experience treating bladder cancer and begin forming a relationship with them. Your doctor should be happy to answer your questions, so don't hesitate to speak up.

Consider asking your healthcare team the following questions:

• What type of cancer do I have?
• What stage is the cancer?
• Has the cancer spread to other organs? If so, where?
• What does my prognosis look like?
• Should I see a genetic counselor for testing?
• Should any of my family members be tested?
• Will I have a better chance of success if I travel to a cancer treatment center instead of seeing a local urologist?
• Should I consider getting a second opinion?

Knowledge is power. By speaking with your doctor and finding answers to these questions, you can learn more about your bladder cancer diagnosis and make informed decisions about your treatment options.

Finding Bladder Cancer Support

Support for anyone battling bladder cancer is important during and after cancer treatment. Ask your doctor about community organizations, support groups and other resources to help you connect with others.

RELATED: Guidance for Cancer Caregivers

Consider asking your health team the following questions:

• Are there any resources available specifically for bladder cancer patients?
• Should I speak with other patients who have had the same diagnosis?
• Are there any support groups in my area?
• Are there resources for paying medical bills?
• Who should I contact for more information regarding these resources?
• How do I find out what my insurance will/won't cover?

Remaining positive throughout your journey, just as Bradshaw did with the help of his wife, will help you successfully manage your symptoms and take advantage of opportunities for support.

Get the answers to all of your questions so you can start your bladder cancer journey with the peace of mind that comes from knowing what to expect.

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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