Congressman Neugebauer Being Treated for Prostate Cancer
By: Stephanie Berzinski
Updated: October 1, 2009
Congressman Neuguebauer made the announcement just before undergoing surgery. The Congressman said his doctors discovered the cancer in August. Thankfully, it was discovered early enough, that it's still in a very treatable stage. Congressman Neugebauer said he expects to make a complete recovery. He's being treated in Washington D.C. and plans to stay there for his recovery. Neguebauer said he still plans to work from his Washington home until he is well enough to return to Capitol Hill.
Prostate cancer is the second most common form of cancer in men. It effects the prostate gland found in the male reproductive system. More than 200,000 men are diagnosed every year in the U.S. with prostate cancer. Local radiation oncologist, Dr. Rufus Mark, said thanks to modern medicine, it's also one of the most treatable forms of cancer.
"When found early, the cure rates are very high. I understand that Congressman Neugebauer is going to be undergoing surgery at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore and with localized prostate cancer, his cure rate should be somewhere in the 90% range," said Dr. Rufus Mark, M.D., Radiation Oncologist at the Joe Arrington Cancer Research and Treatment Center in Lubbock.
Dr. Mark added that there are many different treatment options including more than 10 types of radiation or surgical techniques currently available.
