Sen. Angus King Has Begun Follow-Up, 'Maintenance' Treatments For Residual Prostate Cancer

Independent U.S. Senator Angus King has begun follow-up treatments for residual prostate cancer.

In a statement released Friday, King said he doesn't expect to miss a single vote, hearing or constituent meeting while he undergoes radiation treatments until Mid-March. The five-day-a-week treatments are expected to take 20 minutes each morning.

"What does it mean for my work in the Senate? Absolutely nothing," King said. "I have been assured by my doctors...that I will remain healthy through my current Senate term and beyond."

King underwent surgery for prostate cancer in 2015. Since then he has been cancer-free and having his his prostate-specific antigen monitored to check for signs of cancer recurrence. After doctors detected a slight elevation in his PSA level and determined through testing that the cancer was contained to the prostate area, King opted for localized radiation therapy.

"For many of you, cancer treatment is scary to hear, but in this case it's more like maintenance," King said.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer for men. According to the American Cancer Society, about one in nine men will be diagnosed in their lifetimes. King said his doctors are confident his treatment will be successful.

"If it weren't for insurance, through the ACA, and a great team of doctors, I'm not so sure I'd have this story to tell," King said.

In a tweet, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican who works closely with King, said she was sorry to learn that King was undergoing treatment for residual prostate cancer.

"His attitude is upbeat and his prognosis is excellent," Collins said. "Knowing Angus, this won't slow him down a bit! I look forward to our continued work together."

King will complete radiation therapy at George Washington Hospital in Washington, D.C.

Originally published Jan. 19. 2019 at 10:09 a.m. ET.