Michael Stevens Disney/Ricky Middlesworth

The Golden Bachelorette’s Michael Stevens is explaining his decision to reveal his cancer diagnosis during the Men Tell All episode.

“So many of you have written these really warm comments and messages with words of affirmation, which I greatly appreciate. Plus it’s my love language, so there’s that,” Stevens, 65, began with a smile in his Friday, November 8, Instagram post. “As far as the cancer reveal goes, I went back and forth about whether to do it or not, at all. I chose to do it because I thought, ‘Well maybe one guy out there watching decides to get a physical and that moves the needle.’”

Stevens noted that he knew he would not share his diagnosis on The Golden Bachelorette unless he received a one-on-one date with Joan Vᴀssos — which he called “the right thing to do.” (Stevens was sent home week 2 without getting that coveted time with the lead.)

“But I would never use it to buy a sympathy rose, I guess that’s what they call it on Reddit,” Stevens quipped. “That’s just not my style.”

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Stevens gave an update on his health, noting that he’s “almost done” with his treatment and “feeling good.” Stevens joked, “So onto the next adventure. Maybe Love Is Blind or Naked and Afraid, is that still a thing?”

Stevens also got candid about the friendships he formed on the ABC reality series, calling it “for real.” He added, “Let’s face it, guys my age are terrible at forming new friendships. It’s almost impossible. This generation of men is really reticent about sharing, about going deep about themselves. Whereas women are so much better at it, and as a result I think they have richer lives, I think with broader social networks and deeper friendships.”

He continued, “But the show kind of forces guys, at least to the older crew, into that position, because what are you going to do other than talk about Joan all day?”

Stevens explained that the suitors ended up sharing their life experiences with one another and finding “common threads,” leading friendships to form quickly.

“Hopefully they have legs, I think some of them will,” he said of the bond. “I hope we take a page from that book into our own lives, into reality so to speak. I think I will.”

Before the video came to an end, Stevens gave a message to the younger contestants on the show. “Hopefully the younger crew takes a page from our book and — if they’re lucky enough to be on one of these — approaches it with more compᴀssionate and friendlier tones. We can’t all be influencers.”

Disney/Michael Kirchoff

Fellow contestant Christopher Stallworth praised Stevens in the comments section of the post. “Hey Michael my brother,” Stallworth wrote. “I so much appreciate your friendship and kindness to all of us. Thank you for being transparent in letting the world know about your condition. My prayers are for your full recovery. Be blessed!!!🙏🏾👍🏾.”

Stevens’ video came days after he shared an update on his health during the Men Tell All episode. “So, just before I got the initial call about the show, I was diagnosed with cancer,” he said. “And my immediate inclination was not to proceed but my sons and my daughter-in-law really wanted me to, they had sent the application in. And my doctor OK’d it, so I went ahead.”

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He continued, “But I’ll tell you, what could’ve been a lousy, difficult year for me instead was kind of a great one because I got this amazing experience tucked into it. And I’m gonna be fine, it was caught early. I just want to thank this terrific group of guys and I want to thank Joan, because I’m truly grateful for that experience. It came at just the right time for me.”

After Stevens shared, host Jesse Palmer said that he wishes the former contestant “the best” with his recovery.

The Golden Bachelorette finale airs on ABC Wednesday, November 13, at 8 p.m. ET.