‘This Is How We Do It’ Singer Montell Jordan, 57, Says He’s Received the ‘Greatest Christmas Gift’, After 27 Proton Therapy Treatments and A little Faith Helped Him Beat Prostate Cancer for a Second Time
‘This Is How We Do It’ Singer Montell Jordan, 57, Says He’s Received the ‘Greatest Christmas Gift’, After 27 Proton Therapy Treatments and A little Faith Helped Him Beat Prostate Cancer for a Second Time
Montell Jordan Reveals He’s Cancer‑Free After Two Prostate Cancer Battles
Montell Jordan, 57, announced he is officially cancer‑free after two prostate cancer diagnoses, celebrating a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, which measures the prostate-specific antigen in the blood that could signal signs of cancer, of 0.01—“basically undetectable”—as the greatest Christmas gift he could receive.
The R&B singer shared that he is now a “2x cancer survivor,” noting his two‑year journey has been documented for an upcoming film
Jordan credits a combination of surgery preparation, 27 proton therapy treatments, and major lifestyle changes for his recovery, saying he feels great, is committed to staying healthy, and is “super super grateful.”
“Proton therapy has a physical property called the Bragg peak,” Dr. Alan Dal Pra, a radiation oncologist at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center-University of Miami Health System, tells SurvivorNet.
“This allows the radiation beam to enter the body, and there is a sharp fall-off. And when we develop the radiation volumes, the radiation field, this is able to spare more normal tissues,” Dr. Pra said.
Jordan’s diagnosis followed years of rising PSA levels; however, he didn’t experience symptoms.
His rising PSA level led to a Gleason score of 6. This score ranges from 6 to 10. The higher the score, the more aggressive the cancer. After he was diagnosed, he underwent a prostatectomy, a surgical procedure that removes the prostate and surrounding tissue.
Montell Jordan, the R&B star best known for his hit “This Is How We Do It,” is celebrating life-changing news: after two years and two prostate cancer diagnoses, he has learned he is now cancer-free.
The 57-year-old shared the news in an Instagram post that his most recent prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test – which helps screen for prostate cancer – came back at 0.01, a level he says is essentially undetectable.
“I am cancer-free!!!” Jordan announced, calling the moment the culmination of a long and deeply personal fight.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MAY 05: In this image released on June 5, 2021, Montell Jordan performs during Black Music Honors 2021 at City Winery Nashville on May 5, 2021, in Nashville, Tennessee. The 2021 Black Music Honors airs in national syndication from June 5 through July 4 and on Bounce TV on Saturday, June 19. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
“I am now a 2x cancer survivor. This has been a 2-year journey that we have lived and simultaneously documented for a film called SUSTAIN, which follows my prostate cancer journey.”
Jordan said the news arrived on Christmas Day, making the holiday especially meaningful.
“Yesterday was Christmas, and I got the greatest Christmas gift I could have gotten. My doctors called me to let me know that I am undetected now and am cancer-free.”
He reflected on the difficult road that led to this moment.
“Following a year of preparation to have my prostate removed, I went through most of 2025, right before I became a brand ambassador for prostate cancer, when I found out I had more cancer in my lymph node. I went through 27 proton therapy treatments and holistic treatments focused on changing my eating and workout habits.”
PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 20: Musician Montell Jordan performs the national anthem before the NBA game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 20, 2017, in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
“All things came together, and I got back a PSA of 0.01, which is basically undetectable. I’m super super grateful.”
Now, Jordan says he’s focused on staying healthy, grounded, and giving thanks and gratitude to his faith for powering him through his prostate cancer journey.
“I’m 57, I feel great, and I am working out and eating right and doing the things I need to do to make sure the cancer does not return.”
Jordan’s wife, Kristin, whom he married in 1994 and with whom he raised five children, recently noted how much the couple’s faith in God has motivated them over the last few years.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JUNE 10: In this image released on June 10, 2023, Montell Jordan and Kristin Jordan attend the wedding of Pinky Cole and Derrick Hayes at St. Regis Atlanta on June 10, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
“We’re united in faith,” she wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post, offering a glimpse into the resilience fueling their fight.
“Believing for God’s healing power to move mightily in Montell’s life. As you read today’s verse and declaration, speak life and stand with us; Montell will recover all,” she continued.
Proton beam therapy is a form of radiation therapy known as external beam radiation therapy. It works by using proton radiation that is sped up extremely fast and then precisely delivered to the tumor. When these particles reach the tumor, they deliver energy to the DNA, causing damage that kills the tumor cells.
“Proton therapy has a physical property called the Bragg peak,” Dr. Alan Dal Pra, a radiation oncologist at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center-University of Miami Health System, tells SurvivorNet.
“This allows the radiation beam to enter the body, and there is a sharp fall-off. And when we develop the radiation volumes, the radiation field, this is able to spare more normal tissues,” Dr. Pra said.
Radiation therapy is typically given Monday through Friday, with weekends off to rest. The treatment is delivered externally and is completely non‑invasive—you won’t see, feel, or notice anything while it’s happening.
Each day, you’ll go to the radiation center and lie on a table using a custom mold—similar to a small bean bag—shaped specifically for your body and positioned around your hips.
This mold helps keep you still during treatment. Once the session is finished, you can resume your normal daily activities without any restrictions.
The proton beam therapy approach may be used for:
Patients with localized prostate cancer who meet certain anatomic and insurance criteria
Those seeking to reduce radiation dose to surrounding tissues (e.g., rectum or bladder)
Men with prior pelvic radiation may benefit from proton’s precision
Advantages of proton therapy include the potential for fewer side effects due to less radiation dose to adjacent organs, a reduction in long-term risks of secondary cancers in younger patients, and it can be technically advantageous in patients with challenging anatomy.
Jordan’s Cancer Journey Enters a New Phase: Survivorship
Jordan first revealed his diagnosis in December 2024, nearly a year after doctors began monitoring his rising PSA levels.
The prostate-specific antigen test (PSA) measures the prostate-specific antigen in the blood. An elevated PSA level in the blood does not always mean you have prostate cancer, but it does call for further tests.
“My initial reaction was, I didn’t feel any different, and I didn’t have any symptoms,” he explained to the “Today Show.” “For the decade, I had received regular check-ups, but over time, my doctors noticed that my PSA numbers had been increasing.”
That vigilance led to a diagnosis of Gleason 6 prostate cancer—considered low risk but still requiring attention. “I was first diagnosed with Gleason 6,” Jordan said, referring to the scoring system that helps determine the aggressiveness of prostate cancer.
The results of the PSA test provide a Gleason Score. This score ranges from 6 to 10. The higher the score, the more aggressive the cancer. This score, along with other test results, helps doctors determine if cancer is “low risk,” “intermediate risk,” or “high risk.”
WATCH: How Gleason Grade Determines Treatment
Jordan opted for a prostatectomy, a surgical procedure that removes the prostate and surrounding tissue. Though the surgery came with potential side effects like erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence, Jordan remained focused on recovery.
“Post-treatment, I’m doing well. I’m still going to get regular check-ups,” Jordan said.
Why Prostate Cancer Can Return
Prostate cancer recurrence is not all that uncommon. A study published in the medical journal JAMA followed 1,997 men who had undergone prostate removal surgery. Of those, 304 experienced a recurrence, and about 25% of those cases occurred five or more years after surgery.
Researchers believe that dormant cancer cells can hide in the body for years. The bone marrow, in particular, is considered a key hiding place. This is supported by findings published in the International Journal of Cancer, which noted, “In one autopsy study, approximately 80% of the men who had died from prostate cancer possessed bone metastases.”
Other potential reservoirs for dormant cancer cells include the lymph nodes and the prostate bed—the area where the prostate gland once was—though these are more difficult to study.
Researchers have made significant strides in understanding how prostate cancer can spread early—even when it appears to be under control—and then return months or even years later. One key discovery is that the bones are a common site for prostate cancer to spread. In fact, scientists have found dormant cancer cells hiding in the bone marrow of many patients, even when the disease seems confined to the prostate.
Lab studies, mostly using model systems, have also helped uncover how prostate cancer cells can lie dormant for long periods before becoming active again. While treatments like hormone therapy and radiation after surgery have shown promise, experts agree that more research—both in the lab and in clinical trials—is needed to improve outcomes for patients.
Prostate Cancer Screening and Warning Signs
When you do get screened for prostate cancer, your doctor will run a few tests.
One of the tests is the PSA test, a simple blood test that screens for prostate cancer. It looks for more significant amounts of protein-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. An elevated PSA test does not always mean you have prostate cancer. It could also reflect that your prostate is enlarged, which is common, or it could signal an infection or inflammation.
Your doctor may also conduct a digital rectal exam (DRE) to check your prostate for lumps.
Depending on the results of these tests, imaging scans and a biopsy may be ordered.
WATCH: How Gleason Grade Determines Treatment
Prostate cancer does not always behave the same in every man it impacts. The cancer can be considered “low-risk” and can be slow-growing, and treatment might not be necessary. In other men, the cancer may grow faster or more aggressively, requiring more immediate treatment. Because of this, there is some debate about screening.
The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends that men at average risk between the ages of 55 and 69 years talk with their doctor about the pros and cons of prostate cancer screening.
The American Cancer Society recommends that men at age 50 who are at average risk should begin screening. Men who are at high risk of prostate cancer should begin screening at age 40. Men with a close relative diagnosed with prostate cancer should consider annual screenings in their 30s.
SurvivorNet experts suggested that men consider factors like their family history, genes, and age when deciding whether and when to screen.
Symptoms of prostate cancer may include:
Urinating more often
Waking up in the middle of the night to pee
Blood in your urine
Trouble getting an erection
Pain or burning when you urinate
Pain in your back, hips, thighs, or other bones
Unexplained weight loss
Fatigue
If You’re Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer, What to Expect for Treatment?
After testing and establishing your risk, your doctor will discuss possible treatment options. These may range from active surveillance to more aggressive options, including surgery and radiation therapy.
WATCH: Coping emotionally after a prostate cancer diagnosis
Surgery is an option for men with any risk group of prostate cancer that hasn’t spread outside of the prostate gland. The type of surgery most often used is called a radical prostatectomy.
During the procedure, the surgeon removes the entire prostate, along with some tissue around it, including the seminal vesicles that release fluid into the semen. Your doctor can perform this through a traditional open procedure with one large or several small incisions, called laparoscopic surgery.
WATCH: Sexual Function Recovery After Prostate Cancer Surgery
Surgery side effects may include erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence. Fortunately, the side effects are usually temporary, and there are ways to help you manage them.
“Erectile function is so sensitive when we’re dealing with prostate cancer because the nerves that are critical for this function wrap around the prostate; they’re just so intimately connected to the prostate that they can be damaged from a surgical removal of the prostate or through radiation treatment,” Dr. Isla Garraway, a staff urologist in the Veterans Administration (VA) Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, told SurvivorNet.
Doctors often recommend sexual counseling after prostate cancer treatment to help improve sexual function. This approach actively addresses the psychological, emotional, and relationship impacts on sexual health.
Radiation therapy is often done when prostate cancer is caught early and confined to the prostate gland.
Questions for Your Doctor
If you have experienced symptoms associated with prostate cancer or have a screening coming up, here are some questions you may ask your doctor:
If I had elevated PSA levels, what could be causing that besides cancer?
How long will it take to learn if my PSA levels warrant further testing?
What are the treatment options that are best suited for me based on my risk level?
What financial resources exist to help me with the costs associated with treatment?
How long will my potential treatment prevent me from working or continuing normal activities?
