Nigel Robertson | Husband | Father of Three Boys | News Anchor at WYFF4
A Story of Faith, Early Detection, and Purpose
For Nigel Robertson, August 21, 2024, marked a turning point that split his life into two parts—one before cancer and the other after cancer.
At 49 years old, Nigel was the picture of health: active, engaged, and committed to his well-being. A longtime anchor at WYFF News 4, husband to Tricia, and father of three boys, Nigel believed in showing up for his family, faith, career, and health.
During a routine checkup, Nigel’s doctor at Thrive Family Medicine suggested a PSA test. There were no symptoms, pain, fatigue, or anything that raised red flags. But that simple blood test revealed a PSA level of 5.6, slightly elevated, prompting further testing.
It was this commitment to routine care and a strong relationship with his primary care doctor that ultimately saved his life.
“I remember the moment I saw the results. I was at the vet with our dogs when a notification hit MyChart. Alone, in a quiet exam room, I opened it and held my breath.”
Diagnosis: prostate cancer.
He was blindsided and alone. He later said that moment took his breath away because he forgot to exhale.
Nigel initially kept the news private with a small group of family and close friends.
“I didn’t tell anyone right away. I smiled on-air. I kept anchoring the news. But inside, I was battling fear, questions, and uncertainty. And yet even in those first terrifying moments, I could hear a whisper of something bigger—something more purposeful: You found it early. You have a chance.”
He delivered the evening news with his signature calm and confidence, even as he quietly wrestled with fear and uncertainty. He wasn’t ready to be “the news guy with cancer.” He needed time. Space. Faith.
The journey that followed wasn’t linear. The first urologist he met wasn’t the right fit. But his prayers were answered when he found a specialist who not only had the medical expertise but also spoke to Nigel with compassion and clarity. That relationship helped ease some of his heaviest fears.
With surgery scheduled for October 8, 2024, Nigel focused on preparing mentally, physically, and spiritually. He leaned into his faith, close circle of friends, and inner strength. He connected with others who had faced cancer, including a friend who had lost both parents to the disease. Those conversations anchored him.
The cancer had been caught early, and that truth became Nigel’s lifeline.
Post-surgery, Nigel faced the next critical milestone: his first follow-up bloodwork. The goal was clear—his PSA needed to be below 0.1. When the results came back in early 2025, his PSA was below 0.01. There were no signs of cancer. That day was joy, relief, and worship.
Relief washed over him.
Still, survivorship is rarely a straight line. When his next test approached in May, his fears began to creep back in. But through it all, he kept going—showing up in the gym, pressing through prayers, embracing the strength that came from his body and spirit.
“Throughout it all, I clung to my faith. In the silence, I prayed. In the gym, I sweated through fear and found strength again. On the bench press, I remembered who I was before cancer—and who I’d become because of it. I’m physically different now, emotionally more raw, spiritually deeper.”
Nigel’s first visit to Cancer Survivors Park came after his surgery. He was thankful for the timing, because his first steps into this unique space were as a survivor.
“The gardens, the fresh air, the stories carved into stone, the magnitude of the park struck me deeply. There was peace, but also sorrow. I couldn’t help but think of those who hadn’t received the same outcome as I. My heart carried both gratitude and grief.”
That duality has defined much of Nigel’s journey since. On one hand, he’s thriving. He’s more potent in the gym, more present with his family, and deeply attuned to what truly matters.
On the other hand, he feels a profound sense of responsibility. To share. To advocate. To warn.
Because early detection not only allowed him to treat his cancer. But also it gave him the chance to live a complete life.
Nigel is quick to remind others that prostate cancer often comes without symptoms. Particularly for Black men, who face increased risk, the silence of this disease can be deadly. That’s why he’s using his voice and platform to encourage men to get tested, ask questions, and not make assumptions about their health.
“You’re not too young. You’re not too healthy. You’re not too busy,” he says. “If I hadn’t gotten tested early, I wouldn’t be here.”
To Nigel, being a survivor isn’t just about being cancer-free. It’s about walking through fear and uncertainty, leaning on faith, and coming out purposefully. It means showing up more vulnerably, both on and off camera. It means lifting others with honesty and hope.
Today, Nigel is embracing life with a renewed sense of strength and direction. He’s in the gym daily, with energy and intention. He’s celebrating milestones with his sons—Ethan who is a junior at Clemson, Noah about to be a senior at Travelers Rest High School, and Landon growing fast as he gets set to start high school. He’s savoring time with Trica. And he’s committed to using his experience to make a difference.
The wisdom he carries now is simple, but powerful:
Don’t wait. Get tested. Trust your instincts. Advocate for yourself.
Nigel draws inspiration from those who face cancer quietly and bravely, away from the public eye. He honors them by continuing to speak out—because if even one man gets tested earlier because of his story, then everything Nigel endured was worth it.
“I believe we don’t choose our battles. What we choose is our purpose in them.”
Story by Michael McCullough
Photo by Sliced Tomato Productions