Director Stephen Gyllenhaal reveals prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment

Director Stephen Gyllenhaal, 75, publicly disclosed last year that he is being treated for node-positive prostate cancer that was found after a frightening poolside episode with his youngest son in 2024. He described how his arms and legs suddenly felt heavy and he could barely move, an onset he initially suspected was temporary but which quickly worsened. After several days of urinary trouble, doctors diagnosed cancer that had spread to a nearby lymph node. The disclosure comes as September marks Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and as he shares his experience to advocate for proactive testing and disease management.

Doctors had flagged his enlarged prostate and an elevated PSA years earlier. In 2020 his PSA was elevated, and in October 2024 a biopsy and imaging revealed a Gleason score of 9 and a PSA of 42, signaling an aggressive cancer that required prompt treatment. The PSA metric is a blood-based indicator that can flag potential problems, but it is not a definitive diagnosis. Gyllenhaal has noted that a high PSA prompted him to pursue urgent care, and he underscored the importance of regular testing, even when results are stressful, because early detection can influence outcomes.

Gyllenhaal sought care from Dr. Arpit Chhabra, a radiation oncologist and director of education at the New York Proton Center in East Harlem. Proton therapy was chosen for its precision in delivering radiation to the tumor while sparing surrounding tissue. The treatment plan called for a focused course of high-dose radiation delivered with advanced technology, a strategy Chhabra described as offering a balance of efficacy and safety for prostate cancer. The actor and director underwent nearly eight weeks of treatment at the Proton Center and temporarily relocated to Maggie Gyllenhaal’s home in Brooklyn during the course of therapy. He said there were no notable radiation side effects, though he has experienced the side effects associated with hormone therapies used to slow cancer growth, including Orgovyx and Nubeqa, which affect testosterone levels.

The treatment regime has brought its own physical and cognitive challenges. A lower testosterone level has contributed to weight and muscle loss, and he has reported some short-term memory difficulties. Despite these hurdles, he has maintained an optimistic outlook, describing the proton therapy as life-affirming and noting that it has shifted his perspective toward the present and the future. He emphasized that the approach allowed him to engage in daily life with a renewed sense of purpose, even as he acknowledged the road ahead involves ongoing monitoring and treatment.

Family involvement has been a constant thread. His older son Jake Gyllenhaal has taken an active role in coordinating care and ensuring his father remains connected with specialists and a trusted care team. Stephen said Jake is highly proactive about his father’s health, and that he has had frank conversations with his younger children as well. The family’s approach reflects a broader emphasis on communication and support during a cancer journey, with Stephen noting that his children have helped keep him engaged in treatment decisions and daily routines.

From a public health perspective, prostate cancer remains the most common cancer among men in the United States aside from skin cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that hundreds of thousands of men will be diagnosed this year, with tens of thousands of deaths anticipated. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men, behind lung cancer. Screenings and testing recommendations vary by risk, with higher-risk men advised to begin testing earlier. Doctors emphasize that regular testing and timely treatment can significantly impact outcomes, particularly for those with aggressive disease.

As the treatment window closed, Gyllenhaal rang the bell at the New York Proton Center to mark the end of the radiation course. He stressed that remission is not a guarantee, noting that he continues hormone therapy and other cardiovascular medications prescribed as part of his overall care. He has discussed the possibility of writing about his wellness journey, suggesting that the experience has upended long-held assumptions and intensified his focus on health, family, and the realities of living with cancer in a demanding industry. He described the journey as challenging yet transformative, underscoring that cancer can become a catalyst for clarity and action rather than a source of despair.

Jake Gyllenhaal, now 44, has spoken publicly about his father’s situation, describing a dynamic where he stays on top of the medical team and ensures access to leading clinicians. The family’s careful collaboration highlights how public figures navigate serious illness while balancing privacy, advocacy, and professional obligations. As Stephen continues to receive follow-up care and monitor his heart health, the narrative remains one of resilience, with a focus on informed decisions, ongoing dialogue, and the hope that advances in treatment will continue to improve outcomes for others facing prostate cancer.