ESPN Analyst Dick Vitale Announces He is Cancer-Free, WHO Deems Firefighting a Cancer-Causing Profession and More

August 19, 2022

From ESPN analyst Dick Vitale announcing he is cancer-free months following a lymphoma diagnosis to a Speedo-clad race in South Africa to raise awareness for cancer, here’s what’s happening in the oncology space this week.

Dick Vitale announces on Twitter that he is cancer-free.

Vitale, 83, announced earlier this week that he is cancer-free after a visit with his oncologist who told the legendary ESPN college basketball analyst that his scans were clear.

In August 2021, he revealed that he had recently been diagnosed with skin cancer. Two months later, he said he was diagnosed with lymphoma.

He thanked everyone who has sent prayers to him during his treatment via a message on his Twitter profile.

Last month, Vitale received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the 2022 ESPYS.

WHO reclassifies firefighting as a cancer-causing profession.

In 2007, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified firefighting as possibly cancerous to humans. Fifteen years later, the WHO has changed its stance saying there is sufficient evidence that occupational exposure as a firefighter is cancerous to humans.

In June, 25 scientists from eight countries convened in Lyon, France, to finalize their evaluation of available evidence to make their decision.

The group of experts concluded that there was sufficient evidence that show an increased risk for mesothelioma and bladder cancer in firefighters versus the general population.

A study published in 2018 showed that firefighters who were exposed to the aftermath of 9/11 may have an increased risk for developing early-onset multiple myeloma or monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), a precursor disease that can lead to the blood cancer.

Gerald “Jerry” Sanford, a retired New York City firefighter, spoke with CURE® last year in the days leading up to the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks. He said he attributes his lung cancer to being at Ground Zero in the days following the attacks.

NBA legend Grant Hill says his mother, Janet, died one year after receiving a diagnosis of brain cancer.

Hill, a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, shared on Twitter that his mother, Janet, had died.

He noted that she had been diagnosed with glioblastoma a year ago.

“Just like she's done with everything in her life, she confronted this brain cancer with tremendous strength, courage and dignity,” he wrote on his profile. “This loss for our family is devastating. She will forever be missed.”

Speedo race to raise awareness for testicular and prostate cancer set to return for the first time in two years.

The Hollard Daredevil Run is set to return in September after a two-year hiatus.

The event, which takes place in Johannesburg, raises awareness for testicular and prostate cancer.

Nick Levesley, who put together the inaugural Daredevil Run 13 years ago, explained in an interview that the event first started with just a few people running through rush-hour traffic in Speedos to raise awareness about cancer.

“The importance of this run has gone completely beyond what I originally imagined,” he said in the interview. “I thought we'd raise some money once off, hand it over to Cancer Association of South Africa and feel pretty good about ourselves.”

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to subscribe to CURE®’s newsletters here.