Owen diagnosed with cancer
By Mark Harrison
The Times-Journal
Published June 17, 2010
Randy Owen stunned attendees at his annual fan club party in Fort Payne last week by announcing he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
According to a press release, Owen has undergone treatment since the beginning of May that “has been deemed a complete success.”
Dr. Woody Fritz, of Birmingham, first detected the cancer during a routine checkup for Owen – he noticed an elevated level of a prostate specific antigen in a blood test, the release said.
Fritz referred Owen to Dr. Ronald Wheeler, an expert in high intensity focused ultrasound and medical director of the Diagnostic Center for Disease in Sarasota, Fla.
HIFU is a process used to treat prostate cancer by focusing ultrasound beams to destroy diseased tissue. Owen chose the HIFU procedure as his form of cancer treatment, and Dr. Wheeler performed the procedure in early May.
“After my routine six-month physical, I was referred by Dr. Fritz to Dr. Wheeler, and I feel very good and positive about my future,” Owen said. I look forward to seeing the fans and doing what I do.”
Wheeler said Owen’s case is an example of how early detection of cancer can save lives.
“Randy did everything right by having his PSA checked regularly, avoiding random biopsy, and educating himself about his treatment options,” said Wheeler. “He has set an example all men should follow to beat prostate cancer and live an excellent quality of life.
“We are happy with the successful outcome of the treatment. Randy is doing great and is just about fully recovered.”
Janice Jones, of Pensacola, Fla., was present when Owen made the announcement last Saturday. She said Owen played for two hours, then his wife Kelly got on stage with him and he said he had an announcement.
“I just figured he would say that he was tired or he wanted to spend more time with his family,” she said. “He said ‘you are the fans who have stood with me all this time, so I will tell you I have cancer.’ It just blew me out of the water.”
Jones said she and other fans were saddened by the announcement.
“I started hearing Alabama when they were at the Bowery in South Carolina,” she said. “I’ve been to 350 concerts, every June Jam and I’m a Randy Owen fan club member.”
As the front man for Alabama, Owen racked up sales of more than 73 million albums, including 21 gold, platinum and multi-platinum certifications, 42 No. 1 singles and a mantle filled with more than 150 industry awards. Owen released his debut solo album, “One On One,” and “Born Country” memoir in November 2008.
Owen has actively worked to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through events like the Country Cares for St. Jude Kids radiothon program he co-founded in 1989. It alone has raised more than $365 million to date for the charity.
Owen said he would continue to tend to his cattle business in Fort Payne through the summer and plans to resume touring in mid-September.
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