John McCain Stops Cancer Treatment a Year After 'Poor' Prognosis
Update: On Aug. 24 2018, John McCain’s family announced McCain would stop treatment for his glioblastoma a little more than a year after his diagnosis. The Arizona Secretary of State’s office confirmed to the Washington Post that the governor will appoint a replacement for McCain in the Senate until the election in 2020.
On Sept. 24, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) gave an exclusive interview to “60 Minutes,” just two days after he announced he cannot “in good conscience” vote for the Graham-Cassidy bill.
Talking to correspondent Lesley Stahl about the status of his brain cancer diagnosis, McCain said, “I am more energetic and more engaged as a result of this because I know that I’ve got to do everything I can to serve this country while I can.”
McCain, 80, was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a fast-growing and aggressive form of brain cancer, in July. He returned to Congress 11 days after having a blood clot over his left eye removed, and has finished his first round of chemo.
He even joked about the “lousy” and healthy diet his wife Cindy has put him on:
He and his wife Cindy have raised 4 kids. They survived 2 presidential campaigns, melanoma and now this. pic.twitter.com/c03SWwrMPM
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) September 25, 2017
But despite saying he feels fine, doctors told the senator his prognosis doesn’t look good.
“They said that it’s very serious,” McCain said. “Some say three percent, some say 14 percent. You know, it’s a very poor prognosis.”
McCain on his prognosis: “Some say 3%, some say 14%. You know, it’s– it’s a very poor prognosis.” #60Minutes #50yearsof60 pic.twitter.com/EOvLKPZIxl
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) September 25, 2017
According to physicians at Weill Cornell Medicine, glioblastoma is a terminal illness with a survival time of 16 months post-diagnosis.
Despite the poor prognosis, McCain holds fast to the fighting spirit he is known for.
McCain insists his diagnosis hasn’t changed him. #60Minutes pic.twitter.com/hmkOsJr83s
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) September 25, 2017
Photo courtesy of “60 Minutes”
Trish is the Cancer Editor at The Mighty. She lost her father to stage 4 lung cancer in August 2016, and previously worked at a children’s cancer research organization, so she knows firsthand about the cancer experience. A lover of hip hop music, hot sauce and kimchi, she lives in Maryland with her husband, two dogs, cat and feisty 2-year-old daughter. Check her story out in the book, “A Letter to My Mom.“
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