Bryant Gumbel announced today that he is battling lung cancer while filling in on 'Live! With Regis and Kelly.' The 61-year-old, who is the host of HBO's 'Real Sports,' said a malignant tumor and a portion of his lung were removed in a surgery two months ago.

"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."

Lung cancer is among the most deadliest forms of the disease. It is the top cause of cancer deaths every year.

The American Cancer Society reports that "116,900 men and 103,350 women will be diagnosed with lung cancer and an estimated 88,900 men and 70,490 women will die from lung cancer." Despite the deadly nature of lung cancer, CancerCare reports that the disease "does not receive as much attention, both in funding and in public awareness, compared to other types of cancers that are not as common. Advocates for lung cancer research are working hard to raise awareness of this imbalance."

To make matters worse, African Americans suffer from higher lung cancer rates than other groups, even among smokers, leading scientists to believe there is a genetic explanation. Lung cancer is the highest cause of cancer deaths among both African American men and women.

Gumbel, the former host of the 'Today' show and CBS' morning program, hasn't always engendered positive feelings among African Americans. First, there was the divorce from his black wife. Then he maintained a relationship with a white woman while his wife claimed Gumbel wasn't supporting her or the kids.

According to a Sports Illustrated profile:

Gumbel has occasionally been criticized by blacks for, as he puts it, "not being black enough." He rejects the charge. "I've been told that I don't convey a black image," Gumbel says. "I've been told that my manner of speaking doesn't set me off as black. People say I changed my voice to get ahead. Well, this is the way I've always spoken... I offer myself as a positive black image in a passive way. If you want to accept my image, fine. If not, that's fine, too. I'm a broadcaster who happens to be black. Not a black broadcaster. And that's more than a lesson in semantics."

Comments like those are what caused Paul Mooney, acting as Negrodamus on 'Chappelle's Show' to say, "White people love Wayne Brady, because he makes Bryant Gumbel look like Malcolm X."

Whatever your view of Gumbel, he deserves support while dealing with an issue as serious as lung cancer. His 'Real Sports' show has tackled many issues that affect African Americans, such as athletes and guns and diploma mills for top athletes. Athletes are overpraised in the African American community, so it is important to have some perspective.

Given the disparity in lung cancer rates among African Americans, maybe Gumbel can serve as a leading voice to bring more attention, funding, research and a cure to this deadly disease.