According to media reports Tuesday, American TV journalist and sportscaster Bryant Gumbel just revealed that he’s recovering from having lung cancer surgery.

Gumbel, 61, had cancer surgery two months ago to remove a malignant tumor on his lung.

“We had told a few people, we told my family, obviously,” Gumbel said. “I even kept it from my staff at ‘Real Sports.’ So I’m okay for the time being.”

“I’m hoping they greenlight me to play golf again,” he said.

Gumbel , was guest-hosting “Live! with Regis and Kelly,” filling in for Regis Philbin, who recently underwent successful hip replacement surgery.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women in the United States.  Accoring to according to the American Cancer Society, it is also the most preventable.

After leaving the Today Show and Dateline NBC in 1997, Gumbel moved to CBS, where he hosted various shows before becoming co-host of the network’s morning show The Early Show on November 1, 1999. Gumbel left The Early Show (and CBS that same year) in May 2002.

Bryant Gumbel Has Lung Cancer, Recovering From Surgery