McCain diagnosed with brain cancer

xWashington, July 20 

US senator John McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee and the current chairman of the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee, has been diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer, his office said.

The tumour was diagnosed after the 80-year-old veteran politician and prisoner of the Vietnam War underwent a surgery on July 14 to remove a blood clot from his left eye, said the Mayo Clinic, where the procedure was performed.

Tests revealed that a primary brain tumour — glioblastoma — was associated with the blood clot, it said in a statement.

Glioblastoma is an aggressive brain cancer and its prognosis is generally poor. Senator Edward M Kennedy survived less than 15 months after he was found to have the tumour in 2008.

“The senator and his family are reviewing further treatment options with his Mayo Clinic care team. Treatment options may include a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. The senator’s doctors say he is recovering from his surgery ‘amazingly well’ and his underlying health is excellent,” the hospital said in a statement.’

McCain, a votary of strong India-US relations, wrote an Opinion piece on CNN when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the US last year, seeking warmer bilateral ties.

The Senate Armed Services Committee chairman wrote that the India-US defence ties were a “significant achievement”. “But what encourages me the most is not the road we have travelled, but rather the path that lies ahead,” he said in the piece.

“And in a time when threats seem to be only increasing and chaos increasingly fomented, I see in India a country that can and should fight with us to maintain global security. In the coming years, I see an India that provides critical stability in a rapidly changing Indian Ocean region.” McCain even urged the US to treat India the “same as it does its close partners and allies.” The Indian Embassy in Washington DC wished him a “speedy recovery.” 

US President Trump has sent his thoughts and prayers to McCain and his entire family. “Senator John McCain has always been a fighter. Melania and I send our thoughts and prayers to Senator McCain, Cindy, and their entire family. Get well soon,” he said.

Former President Barack Obama tweeted: “John McCain is an American hero and one of the bravest fighters I’ve ever known. Cancer doesn’t know what it’s up against. Give it hell, John.”   — PTI 

Wave of support for us senator

• News that Senator John McCain has brain cancer triggered a wave of support on Thursday for the often outspoken former Republican 2008 presidential candidate who survived five years captivity as a US Navy pilot during the Vietnam War
• Wellwishers for a politician who has never been shy of criticising White House actions included Republican President Donald Trump and former Democratic President Barack Obama
• McCain’s illness and absence complicate Republicans’ efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, popularly known as Obamacare, and progress on annual defense spending legislation