Former Senator, D.A. Specter Is Battling Cancer

Arlen Specter confirmed Tuesday that he's battling the disease, but that it's a battle he intends to win

Former United States Senator Arlen Specter confirmed Tuesday that he is battling cancer for the third time.

"I'm battling cancer. It's another battle I intend to win," he said in a statement.

Specter battled non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma while in office in 2005, losing much of his hair while undergoing chemotherapy. He was treated for the cancer again in 2008. He also underwent surgery for a brain tumor while in office.

The 82-year-old former senator from Pennsylvania is remaining positive as far as this bout of the disease is concerned. 

"I'm looking forward to getting back to work, to the comedy stage and the ballpark," he said.

Specter served on the Senate Judiciary Committee since 1981 and was chairman from 2005 to 2007.

Before spending a record 30 years representing Pennsylvania in the Senate, Specter was a two-term District Attorney of his adopted home city of Philadelphia in the late 1960s and early 70s.

Specter switched parties in 2009. The long-time Republican ended his career as a Democrat in 2010 when he was defeated in his sixth bid for U.S. Senate. 


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