US senator Arlen Specter's cancer returns
WASHINGTON (AFP) — US Senator Arlen Specter announced Tuesday that he had a recurrence of cancer which he had fought in 2005 but said he would still campaign for re-election in November.
Specter, an influential 78-year-old Republican lawmaker representing the northeastern state of Pennsylvania since 1980, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease.
He underwent treatment for the disease three years ago and was declared in remission after six months of chemotherapy.
"I was surprised by the PET scan findings because I have been feeling so good. I consider this just another bump on the road to a successful recovery from Hodgkin's, from which I've been symptom free for three years," Specter said.
His office said the senator would be undergoing treatment but that he was expected to "continue to perform all the duties of his office as well as his activities associated with his candidacy for re-election."
The statement added that the survival rate of five years in situations like his was 60 percent.
Of 34 seats that open up in November elections in the Senate, 22 are held by Republicans, six of whom have announced they will not seek re-election.
