Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., announced Monday that she has breast cancer and will be in St. Louis for treatment.  

Via her tumblr page , the senator wrote a post, “I very recently learned that I have breast cancer.”  

I very recently learned that I have breast cancer. It was detected through a regular mammogram. It’s a little scary, but my prognosis is good and I expect a full recovery. I will be in St Louis for the next 3 weeks receiving treatment. During this time my staff will continue to assist Missourians and I will be posting on my Senate website (McCaskill.senate.gov) how I would have voted on any matters that come before the Senate during my absence—which I’ll also enter into the Congressional record. Additionally, I’ll be submitting questions in writing for any missed Senate hearings.
Thank you for the honor of serving you in the Senate. McCaskill also tweeted the news with a link to the tumblr page.  

The 62-year-old lawmaker was first elected to the senate in 2006. She serves as ranking member of the Special Aging Committee and also serves on Armed Services, Commerce, Science and Transportation, and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.  

Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton, who served with McCaskill in the Senate, took a break from the campaign trail to tweet support.

.@clairecmc If ever cancer picked the wrong person to mess with, it’s you. Stay strong and take care of yourself. I’m in your corner. -H

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) February 22, 2016

Marco Rubio, fighting for the GOP presidential nomination, also gave McCaskill a shoutout.

Praying for my colleague Senator @clairecmc’s full and speedy recovery as she fights breast cancer. — Senator Rubio Press (@SenRubioPress) February 22, 2016

Other lawmakers also expressed support.  

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Florida Democrat and a breast cancer survivor, called McCaskill a “consummate public servant and tenacious fighter who will battle her cancer” with “spirit and determination.”  

She also noted that it was “promising to hear” that McCaskill and her doctors “were able to detect her cancer early through the use of a mammogram, further underscoring the importance of screening, education and access to health care services.”  

Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and other colleagues sent their best wishes, too.

You got this @ClairecMc. Wishing you the best in the fight against breast cancer. #BeatCancer

— Senator Deb Fischer (@SenatorFischer) February 22, 2016

Keeping @clairecmc in my prayers during this trying time. If anyone can beat cancer, it’s Claire.

— Johnny Isakson (@SenatorIsakson) February 22, 2016

Recently learned my friend & colleague @clairecmc has been diagnosed w/ breast cancer. Thinking of her & praying for a swift recovery.

— Shelley Moore Capito (@SenCapito) February 22, 2016

Related:
See photos, follies, HOH Hits and Misses and more at Roll Call’s new video site.


NEW! Download the Roll Call app for the best coverage of people, politics and personalities of Capitol Hill.