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Florida Senator Bill Nelson’s office made an announcement Thursday that the senator is battling prostate cancer.
“Although he has had no symptoms, doctors found the cancer early in a routine medical exam. Extensive scans showed no signs of the cancer spreading outside the prostate,” the statement read.
Nelson, 72, said, “I’ve been blessed with good health, which has allowed me the great privilege of public service — and I look forward to continuing serving our country and Florida.”
He had signaled another campaign, but his comment Thursday was a direct acknowledgement.
Some have questioned Nelson’s age. He recently showed off his fitness, doing 46 pushups in a losing bet over the Stanley Cup final.
Prostate cancer, the second most common type in men after skin cancer, typically grows slowly, according to the National Cancer Institute. When the disease is caught in early stages, the survival rate five years after diagnosis is estimated at 100 percent.
Most men recover from prostate surgery quickly, some even returning to work within days or weeks, according to the University of Chicago.
Nelson supporters took to Twitter. “Wishing my friend and Florida’s strongest statesman @SenBillNelson a speedy recovery. #GetWellSoon,” wrote Allison Tant, chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party.
Agencies/Canadajournal
