WASHINGTON – Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., (search) said Thursday he has prostate cancer (search) but is expected to make a full recovery. The cancer was discovered during a routine physical exam.
"My diagnosis only underscores the importance of having an annual physical checkup," Chambliss said in a statement released by his office. "Early detection is critical to finding prostate cancer during the initial stages when treatment is most likely to be effective."
Chambliss, 60, is a lawyer from Moultrie, Ga., who was elected to the House in 1994. In 2002, he defeated Democratic Sen. Max Cleland (search).
Chambliss is the second member of Georgia's congressional delegation to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the past year. Rep. Jim Marshall, a Democrat from Macon, Ga., underwent successful surgery for prostate cancer last October.
The statement said Chambliss has no immediate plans to take time off for medical treatment.
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