House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a relatively uncommon but treatable blood cancer.
Scalise posted a statement on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, on Tuesday that he was diagnosed with cancer after "not feeling like himself" and having blood work.
SMALL BUSINESSES HELPLESS OVER SPIKE IN RETAIL THEFTS, SAY THEY FEEL ABANDONED BY LAWMAKERS
"The results uncovered some irregularities and after undergoing additional tests, I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a very treatable blood cancer," Scalise wrote.
After a few days of not feeling like myself this past week, I had some blood work done. The results uncovered some irregularities and after undergoing additional tests, I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a very treatable blood cancer.
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) August 29, 2023
I have now begun treatment, which will…
Scalise, age 57, was first elected to the House in 2008 after having served in the Louisiana State legislature. In June 2017, Scalise and three others were shot after a left-wing activist opened fire at a baseball practice for the Republican team for the annual Congressional baseball game. Scalise suffered from a secondary infection after being initially treated for the wound and returned to Congress in September.
"I am incredibly grateful we were able to detect this early and that this cancer is treatable," Scalise said on Tuesday.
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of blood plasma cells, which are found mainly in bone marrow and are a critical part of the body's immune system.
Because cancerous or abnormal plasma cells grow out of control, patients with multiple myeloma can experience anemia, or a shortage of red blood cells that supply oxygen to the body, causing fatigue and weakness.
Multiple myeloma can also lead to lowered blood platelet levels and lowered white blood cell count, as well as affect kidney function.
There are a variety of treatment options for multiple myeloma, including radiation and chemotherapy, depending upon the degree to which it has spread throughout the body. Stem cell transplants are also a routine treatment option. This requires extensive chemotherapy prior to the transplant in order to eliminate as many cancerous cells as possible.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The American Cancer Society estimates that there are 35,730 new diagnoses of multiple myeloma in the United States each year, with 12,590 deaths.
"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 said.