WASHINGTON — Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., announced Thursday that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and will undergo treatment.
“While the news came as a shock, I can report that I have an excellent prognosis, as well as the benefit of exceptional medical care and the unwavering support of my family,” Casey, 62, said in a statement. “In the coming months I will undergo surgery, after which I am expected to make a full recovery.”
Casey was first elected to the Senate in 2006. He was re-elected in 2012 and 2018, even as the state swung between Republicans and Democrats in the presidential contest. Casey is up for re-election in 2024.
“I am confident that my recommended course of treatment will allow me to continue my service in the 118h Congress with minimal disruption, and I look forward to the work ahead,” Casey concluded in his statement.
Casey has proven to be a moderate in the Senate, largely staying out of the spotlight but joining Republicans and other Democrats to negotiate bipartisan legislation. He entered Congress with a pro-gun rights position that distinguished him from other Democrats, but he has since helped to negotiate legislation like background checks for gun purchases.
Casey also staked out an anti-abortion position when he entered Congress, but joined Democrats last year in efforts to enact some protections for access to procedures after Roe v. Wade was overturned.
Source: | This article originally belongs to Nbcnews.com