U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd reportedly has been diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer.
At a press conference Friday in Hartford, Dodd said he feels fine and has scheduled an operation in early August at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. Dodd said he will maintain a light working schedule for a few weeks while recuperating at his East Haddam home, at which point he will resume his full Senate duties, including his role as chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Development.
Dodd used the press conference as an opportunity to press for the federal health care bill championed by the Obama administration and Democrats in Congress.
“Because I have an annual physical, I was able to detect this prostate cancer very early,” Dodd said. “Today 100 people in this state of Connecticut will lose their healthcare coverage”¦ For a person who loses healthcare coverage, that physical may not be something you can afford.”
Dodd also pledged to continue his bid for reelection in 2010, facing multiple challengers. In recent weeks Dodd has battled allegations he accepted preferential treatment on a mortgage loan from Countrywide Financial Corp.
“I”™m running for reelection,” Dodd said. “Now I”™ll be a little leaner and a little meaner, but I”™m running.”
