Alaska Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Hawkins says he is undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer – and plans to continue his run because the prognosis for his full recovery is good.
"In recent months, I learned that I am confronted by a serious adversary -- cancer. Through a dedicated treatment regimen and prayer, I plan to join the tens of thousands of Alaskans who now call themselves cancer survivors," Hawkins said.
"The first round of treatment has provided a great deal of information, and because of my underlying good health and my confidence in my medical team, I'm very positive that I will defeat this disease.
"After consulting with my doctors, and based on their positive prognosis, I will continue my campaign for Governor … The bottom line is this: I care greatly about this state and am deeply committed to getting it back on track. This diagnosis only accentuates that commitment."
Hawkins, a 59-year-old businessman and one of three leading contenders vying for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, is being treated by Dr. Vincent Picozzi, an internationally recognized pancreatic cancer expert at Virginia Mason in Seattle.
"Scott presents with very good underlying health and an absence of other complications. His cancer is localized and has not spread to other organs," Picozzi said.
"Given the advances in recent years in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, and the results we have been seeing here at Virginia Mason, I am treating him with full curative intent."
Dr. Steven Liu of Alaska Oncology added: "Scott’s tumor is still small. We will shrink it further with treatment, prior to surgery. That makes him an excellent candidate for a successful surgery. Scott has been tolerating the drug treatments remarkably well, which gives us more treatment options and adds further optimism to his prognosis."
According to the American Cancer Society, cancer of the pancreas -- an organ that sits behind the stomach -- starts when cells in the pancreas start to grow out of control. The average lifetime risk of pancreatic cancer for men is about 1 in 63. For women, the lifetime risk is about 1 in 65.
Hawkins observed that facing cancer has a way of focusing one’s mind on what is most important.
"In addition to family, in the arena of public policy I would like to focus on those things that will bring long-lasting benefit to Alaskans. A sustainable fiscal policy that avoids heavy new taxes on families and businesses, and access to affordable health care, are two top examples," he said.
Hawkins served as corporate economist for Alaska Pacific Bank and was the first CEO of the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation. He is co-founder of Prosperity Alaska, a pro-development organization, and founder of The Accountability Project, a business-backed political action committee.
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