With Congress hard at work before the August recess, Congressman Randy Neugebauer has an added challenge to his busy agenda.
The Congressman announced he is undergoing radiation therapy to prevent a recurrence of prostate cancer.
“I actually feel blessed,” Congressman Neugebauer said. “That I’ve been able to continue working and get this treatment. But more importantly I feel blessed to have the opportunity to highlight something that’s very important to the American people. And that is taking control of our own health.”
Congressman Neugebauer’s journey began six years ago when he underwent surgery to remove his prostate after a blood test showed he had early stages of cancer.
After five years of clean tests, recent results were unfavorable so he decided to act.
“Early detection of a lot of things whether it’s prostate cancer or breast cancer is very important to having a positive outcome,” Congressman Neugebauer said. “So one of the things that we feel very comfortable about is that we are going to have a very positive outcome.
With the support of his family, Congressman Neugebauer attends treatment every morning and takes care of his Congressional duties in the afternoon.
“I feel like I’m working on two jobs right now,” Congressman Neugebauer said. “I’m working on my health job and then working on my Congressional job, both of which are important.”
Congressman Neugebauer wants his story to inspire others to be proactive.
According to the American Cancer Society, about one in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, with 60-percent of cases in men ages 65 and older.
“I’m a very private person but I felt like this was an opportunity to highlight how important it is to get those annual checkups,” Congressman Neugebauer said.
With about four weeks of his treatment left Congressman Neugebauer hopes men will pick up the phone and call their doctors to get checked.