Baseball Hall of Famer Wade Boggs Reveals Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

Former Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Wade Boggs has prostate cancer.

The 12-time All-Star and baseball Hall of Famer shared news of his diagnosis on social media Saturday. Boggs played most of his career with the Boston Red Sox. He won a World Series as a member of the New York Yankees in 1996 before finishing his career with the Rays. He didn’t share many details of his diagnosis but was optimistic he would be successful when he concludes his treatment.

I’ve never been a goal oriented person but with the strength and support of my family and my faith in God I’m going to ring that damn bell 💪🏻🙏 #positiveattitude pic.twitter.com/Ida9Y9mXbc

— Wade Boggs (@ChickenMan3010) September 7, 2024

“With the strength and support of my family and my faith in God I’m going to ring that damn bell,” Boggs wrote, adding a photo of a prostate cancer patient guide.

According to the American Cancer Society, about 299,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the United States in 2024. About 35,000 will die from the disease.

Julio Pow-Sang, MD

“There is a saying that goes, ‘More men die with prostate cancer than because of prostate cancer,’” said Julio Pow-Sang, MD, chair of the Genitourinary Oncology Department at Moffitt Cancer Center. “Most prostate cancer patients die from natural causes or comorbidities such as cardiac disease. Nevertheless, some cancers are aggressive. It’s important to perform a thorough assessment to identify these more aggressive cancers as early as possible. Newer treatment modalities can improve survival while maintaining quality of life.”

Aside from skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer affecting men. One in eight men will be diagnosed with the disease during his lifetime. Men ages 45 to 75 should have a conversation with their doctor about the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening. The Prostate Cancer Foundation recommends that Black and African American men talk to their doctor about screening beginning at age 40. 

Prostate cancer symptoms tend to develop in the later stages of the disease, however, initial warning signs may include:

• Frequent urination, especially at night
• Painful or burning sensation during urination or ejaculation
• Problems starting or stopping a stream of urine

As the disease progresses, prostate cancer may cause more pronounced symptoms, such as:

• Blood in the urine or semen
• Bone pain that doesn’t go away or leads to fractures
• Pain in the pelvic area, lower back, hips or thighs
• Weakened, decreased or interrupted flow of urine