Cong. Roe diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer

WASHINGTON - Congressman Phil Roe's office announced Tuesday that the First District member of the U.S. House of Representatives has been diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer.

The illness was discovered during a routine physical examination.

His office said Roe will undergo treatment in East Tennessee during the August district work period.

"The prognosis is excellent, and treatment is not expected to interfere with his scheduled legislative duties," a spokesman said.

The Congressman's offices in Kingsport, Morristown and Washington, DC will remain open and operate as usual.

The spoksesman said that an update will be provided after the treatment has been completed and that no further comments would be made before that time.

"Congressman Roe thanks East Tennesseans for the privilege of serving them, and looks forward to continuing to represent them," the spokesman said.

The former Johnson City physician was first elected to Congress in 2008 and is currently serving his fifth two-year term.

Roe, who serves on the Veterans Affairs Committee, helped pass The Veterans Choice Act signed into law by the President in 2014, which gives veterans who live more than 40 miles from a VA health facility or who have had to wait more than 30 days for an appointment the ability to use any healthcare provider they choose on the VA's tab.

He is also a staunch pro-life Republican.