Chris Hughton has successful prostate cancer treatment

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The former Albion manager was diagnosed in April 2025.

2026-04-24T15:00+01:00

Chris Hughton guided Albion to the Premier League in 2017. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

Former Albion manager Chris Hughton has had successful surgery after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer a year ago.

He has urged others to understand their risk of the disease.

One in eight men will be affected with prostate cancer and that risk doubles if you are black, leaving Hughton, who also managed in the top-flight with Newcastle United and Norwich City and most recently led the Ghana national side, to speak candidly about his prostate cancer journey.

Chris led Albion to promotion to the Premier League for the first time in the club’s history and then helped cement our position there over the following two seasons.

Nine years ago a blood test during an LMA (League Managers Association) health check indicated a slightly raised PSA (prostate-specific antigen) level and, after years of regular monitoring, his levels spiked two years ago. After several tests over the year he was diagnosed a year ago, opting to have his prostate removed last May.

Chris, an active committee member of the LMA, who have stood side by side with Prostate Cancer UK for more than a decade, said: “Over the years I've kept on top of things, but it's not something that's been a big concern of mine. The news certainly didn’t scare me. I know everyone is different, but my first impression was ‘I’ll be fine’. I didn’t instantly think ‘this is probably just going to kill me.’ I just thought, ‘OK, we'll have to do what we have to do’.

“I had very good advice and all the treatment options were given to me, and I decided to have my prostate removed. That operation was on May 7 2025, so a month and a few days after I was diagnosed.

“The recovery went well and I’m feeling great now and am delighted that my PSA level is now zero. I’m pragmatic by nature and tend to just want to get on with things, but I don’t want to shy away from this. I really hope that my story might be able to help somebody.”

Chris’ dad had prostate cancer before he passed away in 2023, and he added: “I'm very, very conscious of prostate cancer and how it affects a huge percentage of people. Lots of my friends and family have also had prostate issues or passed away through prostate cancer, so it’s an area that is very much close to my heart. Mine is a good story and if it can help anybody, particularly in the black community, where we know that the percentages are a lot higher, then I'd be really happy.”

Prostate cancer is curable if caught early, but early-stage prostate cancer often has no symptoms so it is vital that men know their risk. Men are at higher risk if they are over 50, Black or have a father or brother who has had prostate cancer.

The news about Chris strengthens the lifesaving relationship between Prostate Cancer UK and the LMA with the two organisations working side by side for more than a decade.

LMA Chief Executive Richard Bevan said: “Since we teamed up with Prostate Cancer UK almost 12 years ago we’ve been incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made in educating our members and the wider community about the dangers of a disease that touches the lives of so many.

“Chris has been an inspirational voice in helping to raise awareness of Prostate Cancer, and we will continue to support him as an important advocate within the footballing and wider community.”