Veteran Fox News anchor Rob Williams shared a devastating prostate cancer diagnosis live on-air. The 55-year-old Fox 19 NOW host revealed he is battling the disease on Morning Xtra as part of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

‘This is my announcement, I have prostate cancer,’ he said. During an interview with Dan Wells on Friday, Williams said he wasn’t sure if he wanted to share the news but wanted to encourage dialogue between men.

‘I didn’t know if I was gonna share it,’ he continued. ‘I’ve hosted this run before, but when Jim asked me to host it this year I was diagnosed with prostate cancer,’ he said. ‘I feel like I want to talk about my prostate cancer diagnosis because I don’t think, as men, we talk about it enough.’

Williams, who joined the Fox team in 1995, explained that while he wasn’t scared of his diagnosis, he was shocked after receiving the news as someone who believes himself as healthy and fit. ‘I never thought I would ever have cancer. I’ve done 20 marathons, I’ve always been kinda healthy, I’ve always eaten very well. It can hit anyone.’

It was two years ago when he got a routine blood test that came back with elevated prostate-specific antigen levels, which led to the diagnosis. ‘I’m not worried about this at all,’ he said.

‘When I told people that I had cancer, people were shocked because I was walking around like I didn’t have it,’ Williams continued. ‘Prostate cancer is the perfect cancer for guys because it moves so slowly.’ He urged more men to get tested so a diagnosis could be caught early, and added: ‘To find out whether you have prostate cancer is very easy – it’s a blood test.’

The test is a prostate-specific antigen test, which can detect elevated PSA levels. ‘It should be below a four, it’s a simple blood test,’ Williams said, revealing his own number to be 13.

‘Know your number and don’t be scared,’ he continued. ‘And as dudes, we don’t talk about this at all.’ In a touching moment, the pair, who have worked together for 18 years, stood up and hugged as Wells thanked Williams. ‘I love you brother,’ Wells said.

Williams was set to be the emcee for the Zero Prostate Cancer Run/Walk at Sawyer Point and Yeatman’s Cove on September 27, an event he has participated in before. He added that now he is a member of the community, he was looking forward to meeting survivors at the event.

A longtime friend and former colleague of Williams, Frank Marzullo, wrote on Facebook : ‘Through his journey he has been super positive as I would expect him to. This morning he made it public to raise awareness for early detection.’ ‘He said do you know your number? I’ll be making my appointment this week, thank you Rob! You got this buddy!’