Sen. Angus King, an Independent from Maine, announced Monday he will undergo surgery this week for prostate cancer.
King, who was elected in 2012, disclosed his diagnosis in a YouTube video in which he pledged to be back to work in July and indicated that he plans to run for re-election in 2018.
“So when you see me on the Senate floor in a couple of weeks, or during the August work period in Maine or on the campaign trail in a couple of years, you’ll see that I’m back to work with as much energy and dedication to serving you that I promised nearly three years ago,” King said.
He added, “I do intend to run for re-election in three years, only my poor little prostate won’t be along for the ride.”
King, who served as governor of Maine from 1995-2003, revealed that his cancer was caught during an annual checkup and is in an early and treatable stage. King said he is expected to make a “full recovery.”
This is the second cancer diagnosis for King, who said he was also treated for an aggressive skin cancer 40 years ago that was detected early.
“It’s a story we hear again and again, early detection saves lives,” King said in the two-minute segment.
