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PGA Star John Daly Reveals Bladder Cancer Diagnosis

Two-time major champion John Daly revealed on Thursday night that he was diagnosed with bladder cancer. The PGA star explained that he underwent a procedure to remove the cancer, however, doctors expect it to return.

“[The doctor] said there’s an 85 percent chance it comes back,” Daly told the Golf Channel. “I’ve got to go back and see him in three months. They will probably have to cut it out again. It’s probably going to come back, and then another three months that you don’t know.”

Despite the high probability the bladder cancer returns, Daly explains that the doctors managed to catch it fairly soon. “Luckily for me, they caught it early, but bladder cancer is something that I don’t know all the details,” Daly said. “But it doesn’t look like it may go away. We will just see what happens. Maybe there’s a miracle.”

John Daly Tells How He Learned About the Cancer

Last month, the 54-year-old golfer retired from the Charles Schwab Series after suffering from what he thought were kidney stones and back pains. While seeking medical treatment, doctors discovered the cancer.

“[The urologist said] it doesn’t look like any stones are in there,” he said. “But unfortunately, you have bladder cancer.”

Daly underwent surgery shortly after learning about the cancer. “After I did the CT [scan] I was fixing to sip on my Diet Coke and he said, ‘Don’t drink anything. We have to get you back in here and get this cancer out of you,’” Daly said.

On Thursday evening, Daly took to Twitter to express his gratitude for everyone that reached out to him and offered well wishes.

Moving Forward for the PGA Star

After receiving the diagnosis, Daly explains that he plans to make changes to his lifestyle. “I’m cutting way, way back on the Diet Coke and counting minutes before I can have a cigarette,” he said. “I’m trying to quit smoking. The doctors aren’t saying it’s too late. Unfortunately, it’s a cancer that keeps coming back. But I’m going to listen to them, and I’m going to try and quit smoking.”

Despite the situation, Daly says the diagnosis doesn’t scare him. “If it comes back, it comes back. Six months to a year, if it doesn’t go away, I’m going to live my life,” he said. “I’m gonna have some fun. I always tell people I’ve lived one hell of a life. No matter what happens, I’m not scared to die or anything.”

In conclusion, Daly said: “It would have been nice to play the last seven or eight or 13 years of my career a little more healthy. But hey, I’m still working, I’m still living life, I’m still doing the things I need to do … I can accept the challenge. I’m not scared of that. I just want my kids to be OK and everyone else in my family.”

Over the course of Daly’s career, he’s won five PGA Tour titles. Furthermore, he took home the 1991 PGA Championship trophy as well as the 1995 Open Championship.

[H/T CNN]