Sen. Bill Nelson to Undergo Surgery for Prostate Cancer

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer, will undergo surgery Monday to treat it, his office said Thursday.

Doctors found the cancer during a routine exam, the news release said. The 72-year-old Orlando Democrat had no symptoms and “extensive” scans showed no evidence the cancer has spread outside the prostate.

In the statement Nelson said the diagnosis does not affect his plan to run for re-election to a fourth term in 2018. He is the only Democrat holding statewide elective office in Florida.

“I’ve been blessed with good health," he said, "which has allowed me the great privilege of public service -- and I look forward to continuing serving our country and Florida." 

In the Senate, Nelson -- a lawyer with a low-key demeanor -- is the top Democrat on the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. In 1986, while he was serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, he spent six days orbiting Earth aboard the space shuttle Columbia.

In 2012, in search of his third Senate term, Nelson easily defeated Republican Connie Mack IV.