John McCain: 'This is a very vicious form of cancer'

Sept. 10 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. John McCain on Sunday morning described the form of brain cancer he has as "very vicious" and said he hopes he's remembered as someone who served his country "honorably."

The senator appeared on CNN's State of the Union for his first national interview since receiving his cancer diagnosis in July.

He said that though he's "facing a challenge," he's confident he can beat it, like he has beaten other challenges in the past.

"I'm fine," McCain said. "The prognosis is pretty good. Look, this is a very vicious form of cancer that I'm facing, but all the results so far are excellent."

He said that though he is receiving the "best treatment" available -- and heaped praise on his doctors -- he didn't want to paint a "rosy picture" of his disease.

McCain was diagnosed with cancer during a scheduled eye procedure to remove a blood clot. He underwent treatment at the Mayo Clinic before returning to Congress to be one of three Republicans to vote against a so-called "skinny repeal" of the Affordable Care Act on July 28.

McCain, on Sunday, said he hoped people would remember him as someone who served the United States well.

"Made a lot of mistakes, made a lot of errors, but served his country, and I hope we could add honorably," he said.