A U.S. congressman said March 31 that he’s been diagnosed with cancer.
Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.) said that he underwent a preventive scan that prompted additional tests, leading to a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma.
The common skin cancer can often be surgically treated, with radiation therapy used in cases in older patients, people who cannot tolerate surgery, or people for whom surgery was not wholly successful, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. For some patients, it can be fatal.
Kildee, 64, expressed optimism.
“In a few weeks, I will have surgery to remove the cancer. The prognosis after surgery and treatment is excellent,” he said in a statement. “My doctors have advised me it will take a few weeks to recover after the surgery. I’m eager to have this chapter behind me and get back to work.”
“I am going to get through this. I’m going to beat cancer. I appreciate the love of my family and wife Jennifer, as well as the help of my extraordinary staff. And to my constituents and my colleagues in Congress, thank you for your continued support,” he added.
Kildee, who co-chairs the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, received well-wishes from colleagues.
“Few people are stronger than my friend and colleague, Dan Kildee. I have no doubt he’ll face this diagnosis and recovery with the same force and dedication he brings to his work every day,” Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) said.
“Dan is a dear friend and a good man. I have been a proud partner with him on a number of bipartisan initiatives. I will be joining Dan’s family, friends, and the people of Michigan’s Eighth District in praying for Rep. Kildee,” Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Texas.) said.
Several other Democrats have recently announced cancer diagnoses.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), for instance, announced in late 2022 that he was diagnosed with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma. Raskin, 60, has been undergoing chemotherapy.
“I expect to be able to work through this period but have been cautioned by my doctors to reduce unnecessary exposure to avoid COVID-19, the flu, and other viruses,” Raskin said at the time.
Kildee represents Michigan’s 8th Congressional District, formerly known as Michigan’s 5th Congressional District.
Kildee entered Congress in 2013, taking over a seat vacated by his uncle, Dale Kildee.
Kildee won reelection over Republican Paul Junge in 2022 with 53 percent of the vote. That was Kildee’s smallest margin of victory for the seat.
Before entering Congress, Kildee served on the Flint Board of Education and the Genessee County Board of Commissioners. He was the county’s treasurer for many years.