TORONTO—Jack Layton, leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada, with his wife and fellow NDP Member of Parliament Olivia Chow by his side, announced Friday that he was being treated for prostate cancer.
“This year more than 25,000 Canadian men are going to be diagnosed with treatable prostate cancer. I recently learned that I am one of them. It is the same kind of prostate cancer that my dad was diagnosed with 17 years ago,” he said.
Mr. Layton said that like the “overwhelming majority” diagnosed with the disease, his father fought it and won.
“His treatments were successful and I intend to bring to this battle the same sense of determination and optimism that he did.”
“Like my dad, I am a fighter and I am going to beat this,” he said, adding that his treatment was underway and going well.
“The schedule of my treatments might mean I'll have a little more time to watch the Olympics on TV,” he said.
Mr. Layton said he will continue on as MP for Toronto Danforth and leader of the NDP. He pointed to a similar challenge his wife faced when she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer a few years ago.
“She won her battle and I am going to win mine as well.”
Mr. Layton did not take questions after the announcement but his press secretary, Karl Belanger, who has worked with Mr. Layton since the day after he was elected leader seven years ago, said his boss will be in Ottawa on Monday for a press conference and has no plans to lighten his work load.
Mr. Belange said Mr. Layton will be treated in Toronto and that he had no further information about the details of his illness or treatment.
“A cancer treatment sometimes can be hard on someone’s body, so if needed he will indeed watch more Olympics,” said Mr. Belanger.
He did reveal that Mr. Layton was diagnosed in December 2009 after a routine check-up but waited to make the announcement until he his medical tests were completed.
“Mr. Layton wanted to make sure everything was under control and that he knew what was going to happen before making any decision.”
Mr. Belanger said Mr. Layton told caucus about his illness earlier that day and had also spoken with the other party leaders.
“It’s not good news to hear, but I am told that the staff that was told today responded very well to the news that he is staying on as leader.”
“He feels pretty good and we all are very confident about what is going to happen next.”
“This year more than 25,000 Canadian men are going to be diagnosed with treatable prostate cancer. I recently learned that I am one of them. It is the same kind of prostate cancer that my dad was diagnosed with 17 years ago,” he said.
Mr. Layton said that like the “overwhelming majority” diagnosed with the disease, his father fought it and won.
“His treatments were successful and I intend to bring to this battle the same sense of determination and optimism that he did.”
“Like my dad, I am a fighter and I am going to beat this,” he said, adding that his treatment was underway and going well.
“The schedule of my treatments might mean I'll have a little more time to watch the Olympics on TV,” he said.
Mr. Layton said he will continue on as MP for Toronto Danforth and leader of the NDP. He pointed to a similar challenge his wife faced when she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer a few years ago.
“She won her battle and I am going to win mine as well.”
Mr. Layton did not take questions after the announcement but his press secretary, Karl Belanger, who has worked with Mr. Layton since the day after he was elected leader seven years ago, said his boss will be in Ottawa on Monday for a press conference and has no plans to lighten his work load.
Mr. Belange said Mr. Layton will be treated in Toronto and that he had no further information about the details of his illness or treatment.
“A cancer treatment sometimes can be hard on someone’s body, so if needed he will indeed watch more Olympics,” said Mr. Belanger.
He did reveal that Mr. Layton was diagnosed in December 2009 after a routine check-up but waited to make the announcement until he his medical tests were completed.
“Mr. Layton wanted to make sure everything was under control and that he knew what was going to happen before making any decision.”
Mr. Belanger said Mr. Layton told caucus about his illness earlier that day and had also spoken with the other party leaders.
“It’s not good news to hear, but I am told that the staff that was told today responded very well to the news that he is staying on as leader.”
“He feels pretty good and we all are very confident about what is going to happen next.”
