The former US Senator, TV star and current ABC Radio Networks commentator disclosed in an interview with Fox News that he has a slow-growing cancer, first diagnosed in 2004, which is not immediately life threatening. Fred Thompson, who is 64, said he decided to make his health information public because "the American people have a right to know this" before he decides whether to formally announce as a candidate for the Republican nomination for President next year. Thompson said he is looking for feedback from the public on whether or not the cancer diagnosis is a "big deal" as far as his potential candidacy is concerned. The former Senator from Tennessee, more recently known to the public for playing DA Arthur Branch on NBC's "Law & Order," is a darling of many conservatives in the GOP who have been urging him to enter the race for the White House. Thompson said he was diagnosed with indolent lymphoma after a routine physical in 2004. He was formerly on a cancer therapy called Rituxan, but the cancer is in remission and he is not currently undergoing treatment. Thompson said indolent lymphoma is one of the best cancers to have if you have to have cancer and said it should not affect his life expectancy.
Here are excerpts of the Thompson interview released by Fox News:
"We have all seen the courageous battle that Elizabeth and John Edwards are fighting, and there are so many others. Fortunately, there are an increasing number of good stories because of the medical advances that have been made.
I have friends in politics, some in Congress, some running for President, and others who have successfully dealt with cancer. It is certainly no respecter of persons and totally non-partisan.
That point was driven home to me about 2 1/2 years ago when, shortly after a routine physical, I was diagnosed with what the doctors call an indolent lymphoma. Of the 30-plus kinds of lymphoma this is a 'good' kind, if there is such a thing.
I have had no illness from it, or even any symptoms. My life expectancy should not be affected. I am in remission, and it is very treatable with drugs if treatment is needed in the future - and with no debilitating side effects.
I am one of the lucky ones. There are many lucky ones today. And for all of our diversity, we share one thing in common - a deep appreciation for the fact that we live in the United States of America and have the best medicine and the best doctors the world has even known."
