Stroger has surgery to fight prostate cancer

Cook County Board President Todd Stroger is fighting prostate cancer and has had surgery to have his prostate removed, his spokeswoman said Tuesday.

"He did undergo successful surgery to have his prostate removed," said spokeswoman Ibis Antongiorgi.

The Chicago Sun-Times first reported the 44-year-old's diagnosis in its Tuesday editions, saying Stroger underwent surgery Monday after cancer was found on a small portion of his prostate.

Stroger won the board presidency in November after his father, John Stroger, retired following a massive stroke.

The elder Stroger was diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent years of treatment before beating the disease in 1994.

Stroger chief of staff Lance Tyson told the Sun-Times that the surgery went well and there's hope that the cancer did not spread.

"He's doing OK," Tyson said.

Tyson said Stroger is expected to spend the next two to three weeks recovering at home.

Antongiorgi said officials will provide an update on Stroger's condition later Tuesday morning.

The board president plans to start a public campaign to raise awareness about prostate cancer and the importance of early detection, Tyson said.

The newspaper reported that Stroger doesn't plan to transfer power during his recovery.

source:www.chicagobusiness.com