Alabama Republican Rep. Mo Brooks announced that he has ‘high-risk’ prostate cancer and will be undergoing surgery to treat it this week.
Brooks, 63, a four-term Alabama congressman, made the announcement towards the end of his speech on the floor of the US House of Representatives on Wednesday.
The congressman said that he was revealing his diagnosis to explain why he might not be able to cast his votes during next week’s House votes, which would cover the Republican tax overhaul bill and an end of the year spending package that would prevent a government shutdown after December 22.
During his speech on the House floor on Wednesday, Republican congressman Mo Brooks announced that he has prostate cancer and will undergo surgery for it on Friday
Brooks took to Twitter to thank people who wished him well after his announcement
Brooks said that he will be undergoing surgery on Friday. He will also have a post-surgery medical procedure done on December 20, according to The Hill.
In August, Brooks ran in the Alabama GOP primary race in an effort to be the Republican who would would run to fill the Senate seat vacated by Jeff Sessions, after he was appointed Attorney General of the United States.
He lost the primary to Roy Moore, who in turn lost the Senate race to Democat Doug Jones on Tuesday. But, Brooks noted during his announcement that, ‘In retrospect, and paradoxically, losing the Senate race may have saved my life.’
He added, ‘God works in mysterious ways.’
Not needing to campaign any more apparently left Brooks with enough free time to get a physical and screening. It was during those tests that his doctor discovered the prostate cancer.
Brooks (pictured with wife, Martha) said that his doctor informed him of the cancer diagnosis on Halloween. Martha was in Alabama at the time and Brooks said it was one of the loneliest nights apart during their 41-year marriage
Brooks revealed his diagnosis to explain why he might miss key House votes next week
Brooks said that his doctor informed him of the ‘high-risk’ prostate cancer diagnosis on Halloween evening. He described calling his wife, Martha, who was back at their Huntsville, Alabama home, to tell her about the diagnosis and said that it was ‘one of the loneliest nights apart in our 41-year marriage.’
Prostate cancer runs in Brooks’ family, he revealed, with his father and grandfather both suffering from the disease. His father’s cancer was discovered early enough for him to be treated and live another 40 years, but his grandfather died shortly after his diagnosis.
Brooks said that he has ‘a very good cure prognosis,’ according to AL.com, as tests showed that the cancer had not spread beyond his prostate.
On Twitter, Brooks wrote on Wednesday morning, ‘Martha and I are extremely grateful for the outpouring of support for our family during this difficult time and are optimistic for a full and speedy recovery.’
Brooks is expected to recuperate from his surgery with his wife and family.