Democratic lawmaker announces cancer diagnosis

Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, 60, has divulged that he has been diagnosed with cancer and will be undergoing treatment.

"After several days of tests, I have been diagnosed with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma, which is a serious but curable form of cancer," Raskin said in a statement. "I am about to embark on a course of chemo-immunotherapy on an outpatient basis at Med Star Georgetown University Hospital and Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. Prognosis for most people in my situation is excellent after four months of treatment."

The congressman, who has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since early 2017 and who recently won another term in November, anticipates continuing to work during the time he undergoes treatment.

"I expect to be able to work through this period but have been cautioned by my doctors to reduce unnecessary exposure to avoid COVID-19, the flu and other viruses. In addition to destroying cancer cells, chemotherapy impairs natural antibodies and undermines the body’s immune system," he noted. "I am advised that it also causes hair loss and weight gain (although I am still holding out hope for the kind that causes hair gain and weight loss)," he quipped.

"With the benefit of early detection and fine doctors, the help of my extraordinary staff, the love of Sarah and our daughters and sons-in-law (actual and to-be) and family and friends, and the support of my beloved constituents and my colleagues in the House, I plan to get through this and, in the meantime, to keep making progress every day in Congress for American democracy," Raskin noted.

Raskin has previously battled cancer — he learned in 2010 that he had stage-3 colon cancer, but he was able to be treated with radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery.

Raskin served as the lead impeachment manager during the 2021 Trump impeachment trial. Trump was ultimately acquitted — the Senate vote, which occurred after Trump had already departed from office, failed to clear the threshold necessary for conviction.

Rep. Jamie Raskin and Dr. Darrell Gray on young-onset colorectal cancerwww.youtube.com