Lancaster mayor diagnosed with prostate cancer
Parris expected to have a full recovery
Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris announced Wednesday that he is suffering from an aggressive form of prostate cancer, but he called it very treatable.
The cancer was detected during a routine checkup that measured Parris’ PSA, or prostate-specific antigen, levels, which were found to be high. Additional testing showed the mayor has an early but aggressive form of the disease.
Parris said the cancer has not spread beyond his prostate, and he was fortunate to have it diagnosed early.
“I want to inform the residents of Lancaster and my legal colleagues that I am under the care of a first-rate physician for the treatment of the cancer,” said Parris, who is also managing partner of the R. Rex Parris Law firm. “I will begin an intensive treatment program, starting next week, and my doctors have told me that I can expect a full recovery.”
Parris was first elected to office in April 2008, and was reelected in 2010. His term expires next month. The mayor said he does not plan on missing any work, except for the days he will be receiving treatment. He also said would use his diagnosis to help raise awareness about the need to be tested for prostate cancer, a disease which according to the American Cancer Society will claim the lives of 28,000 men this year.
In a statement, Parris urged anyone who has questions about prostate cancer to review the detailed guide available from the American Cancer Society at http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/ProstateCancer/DetailedGuide/index.
City News Service contributed to this story.
