On Dec. 20, 2023, Joe announced that his prostate cancer had reemerged and that he would need to take time off from the show as a result.

“As many listeners are aware, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009," Joe wrote in his statement. "I’ve spoken candidly about my diagnosis to encourage more men to prioritize their health and talk with their healthcare providers about testing and treatments."

"As Dick Gregory once told me, ‘Don’t let fear get in the way,'" his statement continued. "Thanks to early detection and proton treatment, my cancer went into remission for a long time. Unfortunately, earlier this year the cancer resurfaced."

Joe explained that he was able to continue doing his show, which runs four hours, despite the reemergence of his cancer, thanks to support from his wife and SiriusXM.

"However, upon preparing to return from the Thanksgiving hiatus my health took an adverse turn, making it challenging to host a four-hour live show every day," he explained. "Currently, I am taking time to focus on my well-being. During this time, SiriusXM will continue to air ‘Madison Classics’ at our regularly scheduled time."

Joe thanked his fans for their support and also asked for privacy as he goes through treatment and spends time with his family.