Bennet Says He Has Prostate Cancer, Will Still Run For Prez If Surgery Goes Well

UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 01: Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., speaks during a news conference in the Capitol's Senate studio, October 1, 2015, to introduce the Iran Policy Oversight Act of 2015. Sens. Mark Warner, D-Va., left, and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., also appear. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 01: Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., speaks during a news conference in the Capitol's Senate studio, October 1, 2015, to introduce the Iran Policy Oversight Act of 2015. Sens. Mark Warner, D-Va.,... UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 01: Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., speaks during a news conference in the Capitol's Senate studio, October 1, 2015, to introduce the Iran Policy Oversight Act of 2015. Sens. Mark Warner, D-Va., left, and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., also appear. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call) MORE LESS
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Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) revealed to the Colorado Independent that he was ready to announce a presidential bid — until he found out that he has prostate cancer.

Bennet said that he has surgery scheduled for early April to remove his prostate gland. If he emerges cancer-free, he still intends to run.

He has used his diagnosis to pivot to health care, a topic he feels wonkily passionate about.

“In all honesty, I know nobody likes being told they have cancer, but I see myself as actually having been lucky,” Bennet told the Independent. “It was detected early. It is highly treatable. I have insurance through Kaiser Permanente. I feel lucky that the doctors found it. I feel lucky that I’ll probably be OK.

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