League: Warren cancer shock

Rugby League Commentator Ray Warren. Photo / Getty Images

Legendary Australian rugby league commentator Ray Warren has been left devastated after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Widely-regarded as the voice of rugby league, 'Rabbits' was dealt the shattering news on Wednesday by his GP.

Warren, who turned 68 yesterday, is now faced with the daunting prospect of surgery or chemotherapy over the next three months.

In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, Warren vowed to overcome the greatest battle of his life. "I'm shocked, I'm devastated, I'm nervous but I'm staying positive," Warren said.

"I have spoken to a few people who have been through this so I'm trying to keep a positive outlook."

Warren said he would continue as planned to call Wednesday night's State of Origin match in Sydney with Channel 9, but was making no plans beyond an appointment with his specialist next week.

Warren, who has a 13-year-old daughter, admitted breaking the news to his wife Cher and sons Mark and Chris left him gutted. "It's the hardest thing I've had to tell them ... by a country-mile," Warren said.

It was eight months ago that Warren first feared he had a problem when a week before last year's NRL grand final he was admitted to hospital and diagnosed with inflammation of the prostate gland.

"But I've had to wait this long to have a biopsy due to the fear of infecting that area again," Warren said. "So that's what happened last week and I got the results on Wednesday. I've really been knowing something was wrong ever since last year, but I've been feeling good so I guess I didn't think it was that bad."