Death of 'Friends' actor shines light on importance of early testing for prostate cancer

Actor James Michael Tyler, who played Gunther on "Friends," died of prostate cancer at the age of 59.

News 12 Staff

Oct 25, 2021, 7:46 PM

Updated 1,139 days ago

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The death of 59-year-old "Friends" actor James Michael Tyler from prostate cancer has shined a light on the disease once again and is bringing attention to early testing.
He revealed in June that he had stage 4 prostate cancer. Tyler was diagnosed during a routine physical three years prior.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men. It is also the second-largest cause of death by cancer for men in the United States.
News 12's Shari Einhorn was in Patchogue Monday with Luke Mahoney, a prostate cancer survivor. Mahoney was diagnosed with the early stages of prostate cancer 19 years ago.
He chose to have a surgery, which was considered an experimental new procedure at the time. Since then, he has been encouraging men of all ages to get checked early with both a prostate exam and a PSA blood test.  
"Men don't need to be stigmatized. Men do not need to be afraid of it," Mahoney shares. "Get a test. It's as simple as that."