Fox News’ Eric Shawn Opens Up About 9/11-Linked Cancer and Respiratory Illness: A Personal Battle Amid Ongoing Health Crisis

Published on September 29, 2025

On the 24th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Fox News senior correspondent Eric Shawn delivered a raw, emotional update from Lower Manhattan’s 9/11 Memorial, revealing his recent diagnosis of cancer and chronic respiratory issues tied to the toxic dust that blanketed the city after the Twin Towers’ collapse. While the article’s mention of a dire prognosis—”Doctors have told my family how many days I have left on this Earth”—adds a layer of heartbreak, Shawn’s public disclosure on September 11, 2025, focused on gratitude, remembrance, and the broader toll on survivors, framing his story as one of resilience amid an enduring national tragedy.

A Reporter’s Frontline Exposure: Shawn’s Connection to Ground Zero

Shawn, 68, was among the journalists who rushed to the scene on that fateful morning, witnessing the second plane strike the South Tower and positioning himself near the crumbling skyscrapers. “I will forever remember the smell, the sights, the dust that was just overwhelming,” he recounted during a live Fox & Friends segment. “There was an acrid, metal taste and metal smell that permeated Manhattan.” As the towers fell, a massive plume of debris—laden with asbestos, jet fuel, mercury, pulverized concrete, and other carcinogens—engulfed Lower Manhattan, exposing anyone below Canal Street, including reporters like Shawn.

Years later, the consequences caught up. Shawn shared that he now battles bronchitis and a cancer diagnosis confirmed earlier in 2025, both recognized under the federal World Trade Center (WT C) Health Program. “I have two different diagnoses under the World Trade Center Health Program,” he said, noting the delayed onset: “Back then, I remember thinking, maybe 20, 30 years later, I’ll get something.” He emphasized his relative fortune, adding, “I’m very, very lucky. I think of all those who are suffering much greater … I’ve lost a few friends from this, of course.”

Shawn’s revelation came as he honored the 2,977 lives lost on 9/11, underscoring the ideology’s persistent threat: “It is hard to believe that it has been nearly a quarter of a century since that day, when radical Islamic terrorism attacked the very heart of our city and our country.” Yet, he pivoted to unity: “We’re all in this together. I mean, we are. We are all in it together.”

The Hidden Toll: 9/11’s Long Shadow on Health

Shawn’s story illuminates a silent epidemic that has claimed more lives than the attacks themselves. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 48,000 individuals have reported 9/11-related cancers, with almost 10,000 new diagnoses in the past year alone. First responders have been hit hardest: over 3,700 have died from related illnesses since 2001, including about 2,300 from cancer. The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) alone has lost 409 members to these conditions.

The toxic dust’s composition—fine particles that lingered in the air for months—triggered respiratory diseases, autoimmune disorders, and various cancers, often manifesting decades later. Programs like the WTC Health Program, established by Congress in 2010, provide monitoring, treatment, and compensation for eligible survivors, first responders, and cleanup workers in New York, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Shawn’s diagnoses qualify him for this support, highlighting its role in sustaining those still fighting.

Key Statistics on 9/11 Health Impact
Details

Total 9/11-Related Cancer Reports
~48,000

New Diagnoses (Past Year)
~10,000

First Responder Deaths from Illnesses
>3,700 (including ~2,300 from cancer)

FDNY Losses to Related Illnesses
409

Immediate 9/11 Fatalities
2,977

Courage in Disclosure: Raising Awareness and Seeking Support

Shawn’s on-air candor—delivered amid memorial ceremonies—serves as a call to action. By sharing his journey, he spotlights the need for continued funding and research into environmental toxins, while destigmatizing late-onset illnesses. “If you were below Canal Street, basically, you were exposed to the dust. I was here reporting on it,” he urged, encouraging others to check eligibility for the WTC Health Program.

For those affected, resources abound: The program’s website offers screening and treatment info, and advocacy groups like the New York City Coalition for First Responder Health push for expanded coverage. Shawn’s message resonates beyond statistics, reminding us that 9/11’s scars are both visible and invisible.

As the nation reflects on a tragedy that reshaped the world, Eric Shawn’s voice—hoarse from bronchitis but steady in resolve—embodies the unyielding spirit of survivors. His battle isn’t just personal; it’s a testament to collective endurance. If you or a loved one suspect exposure-related symptoms, consult a doctor and explore federal aid. In honoring the fallen, we must also uplift the living, ensuring no one fights alone.