Terry Wyatt/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Scott Hamilton is facing a third bout with a brain tumor. A rep for the former Olympic figure skater confirmed to ABC News that Hamilton, 58, has “a recurrence of his benign brain tumor.”
Hamilton, who first opened up about his diagnosis to People magazine, was previously diagnosed with brain tumors in 2004 and 2010. He was also beat testicular cancer in 1997.
“I have a unique hobby of collecting life-threatening illness,” Hamilton quipped in the magazine interview. Of the brain tumor recurrence, he said, “It’s six years later, and it decided that it wanted an encore.”
Hamilton took home the gold medal in the 1984 Olympics after winning four consecutive U.S. championships and four consecutive world championships from 1981 to 1984.
The figure-skating star told the magazine that his recent diagnosis has understandably affected his entire family — his wife Tracie and their four children, who range in age from 8 to 15.
“When this one came back, six years ago, I told Tracie — she was devastated. This time, I go, ‘Well, here we go again.’ She’s like, ‘Really, it’s back? …Okay, we’ll just deal with it.’ And that was it,” Hamilton recalled, adding that he’s staying strong.
“My 12-year-old son … came to me, and he said, ‘Is your brain tumor back?’ And I go, ‘Yeah, it is! And here we go again.’ So I set the tone,” he added.
Hamilton told People that he only discovered his tumor during a routine checkup as he hasn’t yet faced symptoms from it. He’s currently working with his doctors to decide on the best treatment options.
“I’ll tell anybody that will listen: If you’re ever facing anything, get as many opinions as you possibly can,” he explained. “The more you truly understand what you’re up against, the better decision you’re going to make.”
Although the Olympic figure skater lost his mother to cancer, he’s hopeful that the outcome from his tumor will be different.
“Last round, in 2010, I told Tracie, ‘God doesn’t owe me a day. I’m good. Whatever’s next is next.’ The blessings keep coming because we allow them and we ask for them,” he said. “I’ve been blessed beyond my wildest imagination; I would never even think to dream the stuff that I’ve been able to do.”
In the midst of his fight Hamilton continues to point to his Scott Hamilton Cares Foundation, which aims to empower the community of those who have been afflicted with cancer, their families, oncologists and oncology nurses.
“I choose to truly — in everything that we do — celebrate life,” Hamilton added.
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