Travel TV Star Rick Steves Shares Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

Travel expert Rick Steves shared he is setting off on a new “journey” in response to a cancer diagnosis.

The PBS TV host explained on social media that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, but he is “looking forward to many more years of happy travels.”

“My doctor assures me that, if you’re going to get cancer, this is a good kind to get, and careful scans show no sign of it having spread,” the 69-year-old wrote in a post to Facebook, X and Instagram on Aug. 21. “There is a clear path forward to getting healthy, and this fall, I’ll be in the hospital for a few days having prostate surgery.”

The diagnosis doesn’t seem to be slowing the travel writer down, as he explained he will be filming two TV shows in France over the course of the next few weeks prior to his surgery.

“I’ll likely get my surgery in late September,” he continued, “be laid up for a month, and—God willing—be cancer-free and back at it by the end of October.”

And in the meantime, Steves has made it clear he is in good spirits, even including a picture of him walking on a sunny mountainside with the words “Be thankful.”

“I’ve been fortunate to have never spent a night in a hospital,” he explained. “I find myself going into this adventure almost like it’s some amazing, really important trip. I feel good about my positive attitude.”

And the Rick Steves’ Europe star—who has hosted multiple travel-focused television series and specials for nearly 30 years—is looking forward to adding to his memorabilia collection, albeit in a less physical way.

“I expect to take home some delightful, if intangible, souvenirs,” he shared, “like: appreciating and seeing a vibrancy in the little things; appreciating the goodness in people and the treasure of friends and family; being wowed by modern medicine and the army of amazing, smart, and dedicated people that make it possible; appreciating what a blessing life, health, and this world to enjoy is; and—just in general—being more thankful.”

As the travel host rounded out his announcement, he ended with a sentiment tinged with the signature voice of Rick Steves.

“Thank you for your love and support,” he wrote. “And any ‘travel tips’ you may have for me as I set off on this journey.”