Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is undergoing chemotherapy to treat a recurrence of cancer.
A statement from Ginsburg, 87, on Friday said she began the course on May 19 and that the treatment has been yielding positive results so far.
“My most recent scan on July 7 indicated significant reduction of the liver lesions and no new disease,” Ginsburg said. “I am tolerating chemotherapy well and am encouraged by the success of my current treatment. I will continue biweekly chemotherapy to keep my cancer at bay and am able to maintain an active daily routine. Throughout, I have kept up with opinion writing and all other court work.”
She said her treatments are unrelated to her hospitalization earlier this week, when she was admitted for a possible infection.
Ginsburg, a liberal justice, was first put on the high court in 1993 after being nominated by President Bill Clinton. She was confirmed by the Senate in a 96-3 vote and has become a force for progressing women’s rights and social issues.
In recent years, Ginsburg’s battle with her health and a series of illnesses have become subject to concern and scrutiny about her future on the Supreme Court as President Trump already has had two conservative judges, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, confirmed to the high court.
Ginsburg was treated for colon cancer and pancreatic cancer in 1999 and 2009. In September 2019, she had a malignant tumor removed. Earlier this year in May, the justice was hospitalized again to receive nonsurgical treatment for a gallbladder infection, but she heard oral arguments from her hospital bed.
Ginsberg said she intends to remain dedicated to her duties even as she continues treatment.
“I have often said I would remain a member of the Court as long as I can do the job full steam,” she said on Friday. “I remain fully able to do that,”
