Former NIH director Francis Collins to undergo 'radical prostatectomy' due to cancer



Former National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins, 73, has revealed that he has prostate cancer.

In a Washington Post piece, Collins explained that years ago, "My doctor had noted a slow rise in my PSA, the blood test for prostate-specific antigen."

"At first, there wasn’t much to worry about — targeted biopsies identified a slow-growing grade of prostate cancer that doesn't require treatment and can be tracked via regular checkups," he explained, noting that "things took a turn about a month ago when my PSA rose sharply to 22 — normal at my age is less than 5. An MRI scan showed that the tumor had significantly enlarged," he wrote. "New biopsies taken from the mass showed transformation into a much more aggressive cancer."

Collins noted that later in April he will undergo surgery, a radical prostatectomy, to excise his prostate gland.

"My surgeon will be assisted by a sophisticated robot named for Leonardo da Vinci that employs a less invasive surgical approach than previous techniques, requiring just a few small incision," he explained.

"Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the United States, and about 40 percent of men over age 65 ... have low-grade prostate cancer. Many of them never know it, and very few of them develop advanced disease," Collins wrote. "Prostate cancer is still the No. 2 killer of men."

Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin underwent a prostatectomy due to cancer in December.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Austin underwent prostatectomy due to cancer, then suffered health issues after surgery



Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin underwent a prostatectomy last month due to cancer, according to a statement from trauma medical director Dr. John Maddox and Center for Prostate Disease Research of the Murtha Cancer Center director at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Dr. Gregory Chesnut.

"On December 22, 2023, after consultation with his medical team, he was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and underwent a minimally invasive surgical procedure called a prostatectomy to treat and cure prostate cancer. He was under general anesthesia during this procedure. Secretary Austin recovered uneventfully from his surgery and returned home the next morning. His prostate cancer was detected early, and his prognosis is excellent," they noted in a Tuesday statement.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the procedure involves removing "part or all of the prostate gland."

In their statement, Maddox and Chesnut discussed the health issues that Austin faced following the surgery.

"On January 1st, 2024, Secretary Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center with complications from the December 22 procedure, including nausea with severe abdominal, hip, and leg pain. Initial evaluation revealed a urinary tract infection. On January 2, the decision was made to transfer him to the ICU for close monitoring and a higher level of care. Further evaluation revealed abdominal fluid collections impairing the function of his small intestines. This resulted in the back up of his intestinal contents which was treated by placing a tube through his nose to drain his stomach. The abdominal fluid collections were drained by non-surgical drain placement.

"He has progressed steadily throughout his stay. His infection has cleared. He continues to make progress and we anticipate a full recovery although this can be a slow process. During this stay, Secretary Austin never lost consciousness and never underwent general anesthesia," the statement notes.

President Biden was informed on January 4 that Austin was in the hospital, and he learned January 9 about the prostate cancer, NSC coordinator for strategic communications John Kirby indicated during a Tuesday press briefing.

Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said during a Tuesday press briefing that he did not have any information regarding when Austin could be released from the hospital.

Last week, in a January 5 statement, Ryder announced that Austin had been "admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for complications following a recent elective medical procedure."

Former President Donald Trump has called for the Pentagon chief to be fired, and some Republicans have called for him to resign.

Rep. Matt Rosendale of Montana is pushing to impeach the defense secretary.

— (@)

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Pumping Gender-Bending Drugs Into Kids Is Even More Dangerous Than We Thought

Is it really safe to give these drugs to kids? Mounting evidence says 'no.' And even some on the left are starting to sound the alarm.

Democratic senator announces prostate cancer diagnosis



Democratic Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, 62, divulged that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

But the lawmaker noted that he has a good prognosis and is anticipated to fully recover after receiving surgery.

"Last month, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. While this 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. In the coming months I will undergo surgery, after which I am expected to make a full recovery. I am confident that my recommended course of treatment will allow me to continue my service in the 118th Congress with minimal disruption, and I look forward to the work ahead," the senator said in a statement.

Lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle expressed their well-wishes in response to Casey's announcement.

"Wishing Senator Casey well after his diagnosis," Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, who had a stroke last year, said in a tweet. "He was there for me and I’ll be right there for him during this. You got this, Senator!" While Fetterman just began his first term in office earlier this week, Casey has served in the Senate since 2007.

\u201cWishing Senator Casey well after his diagnosis. He was there for me and I\u2019ll be right there for him during this. \n\nYou got this, Senator! \ud83d\udcaf\u201d
— John Fetterman (@John Fetterman) 1672935564

"Had the chance to speak with @SenBobCasey today," GOP Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina tweeted. "I was glad that he remains upbeat and optimistic. We've gotten to know each other while leading the Aging Committee, and I have no doubt he’s going to beat cancer. Sending my prayers to him & his family— You got this!"

Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland announced last month that he had been diagnosed with cancer.

"After several days of tests, I have been diagnosed with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma, which is a serious but curable form of cancer," Raskin said in a statement. "I am about to embark on a course of chemo-immunotherapy on an outpatient basis at Med Star Georgetown University Hospital and Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. Prognosis for most people in my situation is excellent after four months of treatment."

Raskin previously battled colon cancer a number of years ago.

While Raskin has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2017, politicians who won House races last year are currently still representatives-elect because they cannot be sworn in until after the House selects a speaker, according to reports. So far, there have been 11 votes, but in each vote, Kevin McCarthy of California has failed to secure enough support to clinch the speakership as more than a dozen Republicans repeatedly vote against him.

GOP Sen. Thom Tillis reveals prostate cancer diagnosis, says doctors caught it 'relatively early'



Republican Sen. Thom Tillis (N.C.) announced Monday that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, saying that his doctors had discovered the disease "relatively early" during a routine exam.

What are the details?

Tillis, 60, issued a statement saying he will undergo surgery next week, wherein he stressed the importance of regular check-ups because that is how his cancer was caught.

"I am blessed that my cancer was detected relatively early and I can't emphasize enough how important routine screenings are, regardless of how healthy you are," the senator wrote. "I had no symptoms and would have never imagined I had cancer."

"My prognosis is good because I went to my annual physical and received a PSA test, which led to a biopsy and eventually my diagnosis," he continued, adding, "Early detection can truly save lives."

The Raleigh News & Observer noted that PSA stands for prostate-specific antigen, and "it is a blood test that measures levels of PSA produced by the prostate."

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men in the U.S., behind lung cancer. The average age of diagnosis is 66, and most men diagnosed with the disease do not die from it.

The News & Observer also pointed out that "the diagnosis has not limited Tillis's work recently," as "he traveled to the southern border late last week" along with several other GOP senators.

Tillis also had surgery in January, which caused him to miss some votes. The Senate is currently in recess until April 12.

Tillis was first elected to the upper chamber in 2014 and won re-election last fall against Democratic challenger Cal Cunningham.

According to the Fayetteville Observer, Tillis previously served four terms in the North Carolina House of Representatives.

Fellow North Carolina lawmakers extended their well-wishes for Tillis following his announcement.

Sen. Richard Burr (R) said in a statement, "We're praying for a smooth and speedy recovery. I'm confident Thom will tackle this latest challenge the way he approaches everything in life: with plenty of energy, good spirits and the support of his family and friends."

Thom Tillis Announces He Has Been Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer

'Will Have Surgery'