Montell Jordan To Begin Proton Therapy After Prostate Cancer Returns

Grammy-nominated singer Montell Jordan revealed this week that his prostate cancer has returned and that he will undergo proton therapy, a form of targeted radiation, along with hormone therapy.  

The 56-year-old R&B artist, best known for his 1995 hit “This Is How We Do It,” said on NBC’s “Today Show” that follow-up scans detected cancer in his lymph nodes less than a year after he had surgery to remove his prostate. 

He will receive proton therapy five days a week for nearly two months. Jordan called the treatment “a seven-and-a-half-week interruption of life to make sure I have a longer life.”  

Proton therapy uses charged particle beams to deliver radiotherapy with more precision than conventional methods, limiting exposure to healthy tissue.  

Recurrence Is Not Unusual 

Kosj Yamoah, MD, PhD

Kosj Yamoah, MD, PhD, chair of the Radiation Oncology Department at Moffitt Cancer Center, says Jordan’s recurrence is not unusual. The cancer spreading to Jordan’s lymph nodes may suggest it was already outside the prostate before surgery.

“Recent tumor genomics studies suggest that about 20% of men of African origin who present with what looks like clinical stage 1 or stage 2 disease may actually have aggressive biology,” Yamoah said. “It’s not uncommon that after surgery the cancer may recur much sooner than expected because the cancer cells may have already left the prostate gland before the operation was even performed.” 

More advanced imaging techniques such as a prostate-specific membrane antigen  PET scan may help identify such patients prior to surgery. 

Proton Coming to Speros 

Moffitt is scheduled to open Tampa Bay’s first proton therapy unit at the Speros campus in 2026. Jordan’s announcement underscores the need to expand access to proton therapy in the region

“The fact that Moffitt is adding proton therapy means it will become one of our flagship treatment options for patients, including those with prostate cancer,” Yamoah said. 

On Jordan’s next phase of care, Yamoah said proton therapy can be an advantage.  

“Proton therapy by all means is an effective modality for treating prostate cancer,” he said. “Where you have lymph nodes close to sensitive structures like the small bowel or bladder, protons are very sharp in their margins. That precision can reduce side effects while still treating cancer.” 

Black Men More at Risk 

Jordan is also partnering with ZERO Prostate Cancer to raise awareness about screening, particularly among Black men, who face higher risks and worse outcomes.  

“Black men are diagnosed with prostate cancer almost 10 years younger than the average, and in some cases with more advanced disease stage,” Yamoah said. “That makes early detection, comprehensive staging procedures and access to advanced treatments like proton therapy especially important.”