Sen. Bill Nelson says he has prostate cancer, having surgery

(CNN) – Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida will undergo prostate cancer surgery on Monday in Washington.

Doctors found the cancer “early” during a routine medical exam, reported by his office, and scans showed it was not spreading to other areas.

In the statement, Nelson says he has been blessed with good health and looks forward to continue serving. The Florida senator is also the top Democrat on the Senate Commerce, Science as well as the Transportation Committee, where he has campaigned for issues like highway funding, the environment and the space program. A statement said it would not affect the Democrat’s plans to run for re-election in 2018.

He defeated GOP Rep. Connie Mack IV in 2012 elections by a big margin and won a third Senate term.

Prostate cancer, the second most common type in men after skin cancer, typically grows slowly, according to the National Cancer Institute. Almost 220,800 new cases this year are estimated by the organization this year.