RICK CHAVEZ ZBUR: I have prostate cancer

Given that September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, I want to share that I was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer.

I am experiencing no symptoms, and my cancer was diagnosed following a routine PSA screening conducted during my annual physical. The good news is that my cancer was diagnosed early, and while my condition requires treatment, I have excellent doctors, several good treatment options, and my prognosis that treatment will result in a cancer-free future is excellent. I decided to make my diagnosis public because I wanted to explain why I have not been able to respond as quickly to some scheduling requests, but more importantly because I believe that it is critical to raise public awareness about prostate cancer and the importance of early detection.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer diagnosed among American men.

Approximately 1 in 8 men in the United States will receive a prostate cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, and in men over the age of 65, the incidence of prostate cancer is almost 60%. PSA screening tests can detect prostate cancer at early stages when it is likely to be easier to treat.
Older men (generally over 55 years old), African American men and men who have a family history of prostate cancer are at higher risk and should talk to their doctors about whether screening for early detection is appropriate for them. When prostate cancer is detected early, before it has a chance to spread, survival rates are extremely high.

While I am still evaluating treatment options with my doctors, my current plan is to undergo treatment in November after the election, which will require 2-3 weeks of downtime. I expect to be able to return to my regular schedule when the Legislature resumes its next session in early December. In the meantime, I am proud to be participating in the special session committee on the governor’s proposal to prevent gas price spikes, and I will be spending the month of October hard at work meeting with constituents in my community, working on my 2025 legislative package, and assisting Speaker Rivas on the campaign trail in my role as Assembly Democratic Caucus Chair.

I appreciate and thank my amazing staff and team for helping me continue to represent my constituents with energy and commitment. And I want to thank my family, friends and colleagues for your kindness and expressions of support. As noted above, I am feeling good and energetic, and I am optimistic about 2025 and a healthy future.