WASHINGTON, D.C. — Louisiana U.S. Representative Steve Scalise announced Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer.
“After a few days of not feeling like myself this past week, I had some blood work done,” Scalise said in a statement. “The results uncovered some irregularities and after undergoing additional tests, I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a very treatable blood cancer.”
Scalise, 57, is the House Majority Leader, and is considered the second most powerful republican in the House. He says that he has already begun treatment and is expected to continue his work in the U.S. House throughout his treatment over the next “several months.”
“I am incredibly grateful we were able to detect this early and that this cancer is treatable. I am thankful for my excellent medical team, and with the help of God, support of my family, friends, colleagues, and constituents, I will tackle this with the same strength and energy as I have tackled past challenges.”
Scalise’s cancer diagnoses comes six years after he was seriously injured after a gunman opened fire on a Republican Congressional baseball practice. The congressman was badly hurt but made a full recovery.
In multiple myeloma, cancerous plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow and crowd out healthy blood cells, according to the Mayo Clinic. Rather than produce helpful antibodies, the cancer cells produce abnormal proteins that can cause complications.
This is a developing story. Check back often for new information.
Download the Unfiltered with Kiran app from the Apple App Store and Google Play to stay updated on any new developments.
Leave a Reply