Sen. Dodd has prostate cancer, surgery due

WASHINGTON, July 31 (UPI) -- Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., is expected to be sidelined for a few weeks after undergoing surgery for prostate cancer, his surgeon said Friday.

"While there are many treatment options available for people with prostate cancer, after consultation with his physicians the recommended course of treatment for Senator Dodd is surgery," Surgeon Howard Scher said during a news conference where Dodd said he had prostate cancer. "It was found in an early stage and the prognosis for his full recovery is excellent."

Dodd said during his news conference that results of an annual blood test to detect the cancer led his doctor to order a biopsy "and that's how I learned of the disease."

Dodd said he would have surgery after the Senate adjourns next week and would return to work after recuperating at home for a few weeks.

"I feel fine," Dodd said. "As you have probably noticed, I'm working some long and hard hours lately. And that will continue."

He also used his condition to push for passage of healthcare reform "so that every American will be able to get an annual physical and talk to their doctor about screening so that problems like this can be caught early and treated."