While many were focused on President Joe Biden’s battle with prostate cancer, another public figure was quietly facing the same diagnosis.
Errol Musk, the 79-year-old South African engineer and father of tech billionaire Elon Musk, recently opened up about his own experience with prostate cancer—a journey that began with a routine check-up and ended with life-saving surgery.
Now, after going through treatment and recovery, he’s using his experience to urge other men to get tested early—especially through DNA screening for genetic predispositions.
A Shocking Discovery After Heart Surgery Follow-Up
Errol Musk’s cancer story didn’t begin with symptoms.
Instead, it all started during a routine medical follow-up after open-heart surgery.
In an interview with fellow South African entrepreneur Avi Lasarow, Musk explained that doctors had detected a slightly elevated PSA level—a potential sign of prostate cancer.
What followed was a quick referral to a urologist, and within a short time, the diagnosis came: prostate cancer. “They didn’t ease into it,” Musk said.
“You think they’d offer a cup of tea or something, but it’s straight to the point—‘You have cancer.’”
Emergency Surgery and a Life-Changing Decision
Musk was advised to undergo immediate surgery. The procedure involved removing his prostate and clearing out surrounding lymph nodes.
A biopsy confirmed that the cancer was indeed aggressive and needed to be treated without delay.
“There was really no other option,” he said. “Leaving it in wasn’t on the table.”
Cancelling Plans and Facing the Unknown
In July 2024, while global headlines were focused on Donald Trump surviving an assassination attempt and Elon Musk endorsing him, Errol Musk quietly cancelled travel plans and went into surgery.
“I didn’t know much about cancer,” he admitted. “Even at 77, I had only a vague understanding of what it really was.
I think a lot of us avoid learning about it until we have no choice.”
The Value of Early Testing and DNA Screening
Errol is now passionate about early detection—especially through DNA testing.
Genetic screenings can reveal whether someone carries inherited mutations, like the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, that increase the risk for certain cancers.
“If I’d had a DNA test earlier, I might not have needed surgery,” Musk reflected.
“It could’ve caught the risk early, and we could’ve done something before it developed into full-blown cancer.”
A Simple Test That Could Save Lives
Musk emphasized how accessible DNA testing has become, noting that many tests now cost around $100.
“To not do a DNA test is silly at this point,” he said.
“It’s such a small price to pay to potentially save your life.”
Family Reactions: Calm Sons, Worried Daughters
When it came time to break the news to his children, Musk said the reactions varied. His sons, including Elon, took it in stride.
“They ask how bad it is, if you need anything, and tell you to keep them updated,” he said.
“But daughters… it’s more emotional.
You can’t just come out and say it—you have to ease them into it over a few days.”
Recovery Was Tough—But Worth It
Errol’s recovery wasn’t easy. For the first six weeks after surgery, he said he felt completely drained.
“I felt old, weak, just… not myself,” he recalled.
“But by the three-month mark, I started to bounce back.
Now, I feel much better and I’m optimistic about getting back to full strength.”
A Mission for Longevity and Better Health
Motivated by his experience, Errol Musk has launched a new health initiative—www.muskhealthsystems.com—to promote proactive genetic screening and research focused on increasing longevity.
“We’re on the brink of breakthroughs that could help people live to 100, maybe even 120,” he said. “Just look at the progress.
A century ago, women in Europe had an average life expectancy of 39. Today, it’s 85.”
Advocating for National Screening Programs
Musk is also calling on governments around the world to take men’s health more seriously.
With 1 in 8 men at risk of developing prostate cancer in their lifetimes, he believes early screening should be standard.
“There are so many men who don’t get the chance I had—to catch it early.
We need national screening programs to change that,” he said.
Sobering Stats Around Prostate Cancer
Here are a few eye-opening statistics Musk and Lasarow highlighted:
In the UK (Prostate Cancer UK):
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Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men.
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50,000+ new diagnoses each year.
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12,000+ deaths annually.
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1 in 8 men will develop it.
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Over 500,000 men are currently living with or after prostate cancer.
In the US (American Cancer Society):
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Second-leading cause of cancer death in men, behind lung cancer.
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1 in 8 men will be diagnosed.
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1 in 44 will die from it.
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313,780 new cases and 35,770 deaths projected in 2025.
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Most cases occur in men over 65.
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Risk is higher among African American and Caribbean men of African ancestry.
A Final Word: Don’t Wait
Errol Musk’s message is clear: don’t wait to get tested.
Whether through a DNA screening or a simple PSA blood test, early detection can make all the difference.
And if you’ve never been checked? Now might be the time.