Chris Hughton has revealed he is now cancer-free following a successful fight against prostate cancer, offering a message of reassurance and awareness after a challenging year.
The 67-year-old, who previously coached the Ghana national football team, underwent surgery in May 2025 to remove his prostate after doctors detected the illness early. One year on, Hughton says his recovery has been smooth and his health has fully rebounded.
Reflecting on the moment he first learned of his diagnosis, Hughton maintained a composed outlook throughout.
“The news certainly didn’t scare me,” he said. “I know everyone is different, but my first impression was: ‘I’ll be fine.”
“I didn’t instantly think this is probably going to kill me. I just thought we’ll have to do what we have to do.”
The condition was identified during a routine medical check while he was working at Brighton & Hove Albion. Elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels prompted further tests, allowing doctors to intervene at an early stage, something Hughton credits as critical to his outcome.
As a Black man over 50 with a family history of the disease, he acknowledged he was in a higher-risk group, making regular screening particularly important.
After weighing his options, Hughton opted for surgery, a decision he says has paid off.
“I had very good advice, and all the treatment options were given to me, and I decided to have my prostate removed,” he said.
Now back to full strength, he says he feels revitalised and is embracing an active lifestyle as part of his recovery journey.
“The recovery has gone really well. I’m one year post-operation, and I feel good. I’ve got a lot of energy. Keeping active and busy is part of how I am, but it’s also about rehabilitation and keeping your mind active as well,” he concluded.
With his experience behind him, Hughton is using his voice to stress the importance of early detection, particularly for those in higher-risk categories.
The former manager, who has also led clubs such as Newcastle United, Norwich City and Birmingham City, enjoyed a long coaching career that includes 169 matches in the Premier League and promotion-winning campaigns with both Newcastle and Brighton.
Though his time with Ghana ended in 2024, Hughton now turns his attention to advocacy, encouraging others to prioritise routine health checks and act swiftly when concerns arise.
