- The Democrat underwent squamous cell surgery and went directly back to work
- He was seen Thursday during a committee meeting with a bandage on his head
- Squamous cell carcinoma is believed to be caused by exposure to the sun
- His office said Leahy and his wife are careful to get regular skin checkups
Vermont’s Democratic U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy has had skin cancer cells removed from his scalp.
Leahy’s office says the 78-year-old senator underwent a procedure Wednesday to remove squamous cells that were found on his head.
During a Thursday meeting of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Leahy was wearing a bandage over the spot where the cells were removed.
Senator Leahy at a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on May 22, with a bandage on his head
Senator Patrick Leahy (left) talks to Senator Christopher Coons, with a bandage clearly visible on his head, in a photo dated May 22
Squamous cell carcinoma is believed to be caused by exposure to the sun. It is said to be the second most common form of skin cancer.
When it’s caught early, it is almost always curable with minimal damage.
VTDigger, a Vermont news website reports that Leahy’s wife Marcelle was treated for melanoma in 2003. She is now an advocate for skin cancer prevention.
‘Patrick and Marcelle are both careful to get regular checkups and preventive and curative steps when it comes to skin that’s exposed to sun,’ spokesperson David Carle told the site.
Leahy has had skin cancer procedures before.
The Senator, with his wife Marcelle Pomerleau in this file photo, says the pair are careful to get frequent skin checks
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