Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer

Jerry Brown, the governor of California, is being treated for localized prostate cancer.

According to Reuters, doctors expect him to be okay:

” ‘Fortunately, this is early stage localized prostate cancer, which is being treated with a short course of conventional radiotherapy,’ the Democratic governor’s oncologist, Dr. Eric Small, said in a statement.

” ‘The prognosis is excellent, and there are not expected to be any significant side effects,’ he added.”

Treatments are scheduled to run through January 7, and the governor will continue on the job while undergoing the medical protocol.

Brown, 74, who was elected in 2011 to succeed Arnold Schwarzenegger, is serving his third term as California’s chief executive. He was governor from 1975 to 1983. He also served as California Attorney General from 2007 to 2011, and has held various other political offices including mayor of Oakland. His father, Pat Brown, was also governor of California. Previously in his career, Brown mounted unsuccessful candidacies for president and US Senate.

Last year, Brown was treated for basal cell carcinoma, and had a cancerous growth removed from the right side of his nose.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among males according to the World Health Organization. A recent study suggested the risk of dying from prostate cancer is higher if a man suffers from high blood pressure, has a high BMI, and has elevated high blood sugar, a condition commonly referred to as the metabolic syndrome.

Thee U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) drafted new screening guidelines for prostate cancer last year that recommended against routine PSA testing in men of average-risk for the disease.

[Image credit: Amadscientist]