Health alert at the New Jersey State House. Doctors recently discovered that Gov. Phil Murphy has a tumor on his left kidney — and odds are high that it could mean cancer for the state’s leader.
Murphy announced his diagnosis Feb. 23 on social media.
Friends – I’ve got a tumor on my left kidney and will undergo a partial nephrectomy in early March to remove it. The prognosis is very good and I’m profoundly grateful to my doctors for detecting the tumor early.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) February 23, 2020
NBC News reports that according to an aide of the governor, the prognosis may be good, but the news likely is not.
His spokesman, Mahen Gunaratna, said the vast majority of such tumors are malignant. The growth meets the standards for the lowest kidney tumor classification of T1A, or smaller than 4 centimeters, he said.
… Home recovery could last a few weeks, he told NJ.com.
Doctors won’t know whether Murphy’s tumor is cancerous until after his surgery, Gunaratna told NBC News.
Murphy used his personal travails to spotlight what’s reality for many less fortunate people.
Over 50,000 New Jerseyans will hear the words “you have cancer” this year, so I’m far from alone here. It’s a situation that far too many families find themselves in. That’s why we’re fighting for them each and every day.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) February 23, 2020
Health care is a right, not a privilege for a select few, and skyrocketing medical costs are a national emergency. If there’s anything my diagnosis reminds me of, it’s that preventative services are lifesaving and we need to continue fighting for affordable health care for all.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) February 23, 2020