By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Friday, December 15, 2017, Congressman Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville, announced that he had undergone the prostatectomy he mentioned during a House floor speech on Wednesday, December 13.
The procedure went well according to Brooks’ family and the Congressman is recovering. Results from full pathology tests will be available in the coming weeks, but preliminary lab tests came back clear, indicating that all cancer was removed with the prostate. Congressman Brooks is currently scheduled to return home on Saturday to recuperate. Congressman and Mrs. Brooks are very grateful for all of the texts, calls, prayers, and well wishes.
Congressman Gary Palmer, R-Hoover, said on social media, “Glad to hear my friend Congressman Mo Brooks’ surgery went well. Ann and I send him prayers and well wishes for a speedy recovery!”
“Prostate cancer kills almost 27,000 American men each year and is the third leading cause of cancer deaths, behind only lung and colorectal cancers,” Brooks said. “71 percent of prostate cancer patients die in less than five years if the prostate cancer has spread beyond the abdominal cavity. In stark contrast, almost all prostate cancer patients live longer than five years if the cancer is discovered early and killed before it spreads. For example, my father discovered his prostate cancer early. He lived four decades after his prostatectomy. My grandfather discovered his prostate cancer too late. He died not long thereafter.”
Brooks said that he has a very high risk form of prostate cancer.
“Based on advice from friends and doctors, I chose Dr. Scott Tully as my treating physician,” Rep. Brooks said. “Dr. Tully is widely respected and has performed more than 3,000 prostatectomies. On Thursday, Martha and I drove to Birmingham to obtain Dr. Tully’s insight about treatment options and risks. He advised a radical prostatectomy.”
“In compliance with the 2017 House Calendar that set end-of-year votes on December 14, and at some risk to myself, Dr. Tully and I delayed my surgery until December 15, this Friday, and set a post-surgery medical procedure for December 20,” Brooks said.
Brooks had planned not to miss any votes; but Speaker of the House Paul Ryan abruptly changed the House schedule so Mo will miss some votes.
“I encourage age appropriate men to have regular PSA tests,” Brooks said. “While PSA tests do not diagnose cancer, my PSA spike persuaded me to have the prostate biopsy that revealed my ‘high risk’ prostate cancer early enough for me to enjoy a very good cure prognosis.”
Brooks said that he ran for U.S. Senate and finished third in the August Republican Primary missing the runoff. “Had I won, I would not have had time for my physical and PSA test. I would not have had a prostate biopsy. I would not now know about my ‘high risk’ prostate cancer that requires immediate surgery. In retrospect, and paradoxically, losing the Senate race may have saved my life! Yes, God does work in mysterious ways,” Brooks said.
Congressman Mo Brooks represents Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District. Brooks is facing a primary challenge in 2018 from state Senator Bill Holtzclaw, R-Madison.
The Republican Primary will be June 5, 2018.
