Sen. Johanns to undergo surgery

WASHINGTON, March 3 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., was to undergo "cautionary" surgery Tuesday to treat a potentially cancerous spot on his left lung, his office announced.

The procedure, which Johanns' office described as "cautionary," was scheduled take place at Virginia Hospital Center, the Washington publication The Hill reported.

"Doctors discovered the spot during testing conducted on Nov. 25 in follow up to a Nov. 14 routine physical," the senator's aides said in a statement. "Doctors initially monitored the spot and decided during an examination (Monday) to proceed with surgery today."

The former U.S. secretary of agriculture may have the lower lobe of his left lung removed in the surgery, after which doctors will determine if it is cancerous, The Hill said.