Sen. Bill Nelson to have surgery to remove prostate cancer

Sen. Bill Nelson will undergo prostate cancer surger on Monday, his office said. Scans showed that the cancer hadn’t spread outside of the prostate, the release said.

Nelson says that the surgery will be performed in a hospital in Florida, and that the diagnosis and surgery will not impact his re-election bid in 2018.

The disease was caught “early” as part of a routine exam, according to a statement from Ryan Brown, Nelson’s press secretary. He said he had no symptoms.

He won a third Senate term in 2012, easily beating GOP Rep. Connie Mack IV.

In the statement, Nelson says he has been blessed with good health and looks forward to continue serving. He also served six terms in the House representing Orlando and the Space Coast.