United States Senator Bill Nelson is set undergo a surgical operation on Monday, July 13 after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. The office of the Florida Democrat announced the schedule of his surgery on Thursday, July 9. According to the statement, the diagnosis and surgery will not influence his plans of running for the same political position in 2018.
Nelson initially underwent a routine medical examination, which revealed that the 72-year-old has an early-stage prostate cancer. As per comprehensive diagnostic scans, the statement of his office says, no indicators of cancer spread had been identified.
Nelson is a lawyer and was first elected as Senator in the 2000. At present, he is serving his third term in the senate. He also served in the US House of Representatives for six terms, embodying the people of Orlando and the Space Coast. He was also able to experience travelling in space through the space shuttle Columbia in 1986.
"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," Nelson said.
Prostate cancer is considered to be the most common cancer among the male population in the US. It also ranks second in the leading causes of cancer mortalities in men. Prostate cancer is more prevalent in African-American men compared to those of White American descent. The tumor grows in a slow pace and is most commonly diagnosed in men aged 65 years and older. Early detection and prompt treatment prior to the occurrence of clinical manifestations are said to provide minimal improvements in health, according to the National Cancer Institute.
There are different treatment options available to patients diagnosed with prostate cancer and these include watchful waiting, surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, biologic therapy and bisphosphonate therapy.
Surgery is recommended for patients who is generally healthy and whose tumor has not grown outside the prostate. There are different types of surgical operations in the treatment of prostate cancer. These procedures involve the removal of the prostate, surrounding tissues, seminal vesicles and lymph nodes, depending on the extent of the patient's individual condition.
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