North Carolina GOP Sen. Tillis says he has prostate cancer, will undergo surgery next week

Tillis suggested the cancer was detected during a routine screening.
N.C. Sen. Thom Tillis
By Joseph Weber

North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis announced Monday that he has prostate cancer and will be have surgery next week.

Tillis, a Republican lawmaker reelected in 2020, said he expects "to make a full recovery," according to CNN. 

"Next week, I will have surgery in North Carolina to treat prostate cancer," the 60-year-old Tillis said. "I am in the hands of outstanding medical professionals and expect to make a full recovery."

Tillis suggested the cancer was detected during routine a screening.

"I am blessed that my cancer was detected relatively early, and I can't emphasize enough how important routine screenings are, regardless of how healthy you think you are," he said in a statement.