U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks said Wednesday morning he will undergo surgery to treat prostate cancer.
Brooks, R-5th District, made the announcement on the House floor that he has high-risk prostate cancer that requires immediate surgery.
Brooks said he found out the diagnosis Halloween night and spent the rest of that week in Huntsville making plans for treatment.
Brooks said he will undergo a radical prostatectomy Dec. 15 and recuperate at home over the holidays.
Brooks, a former Madison County commissioner and Alabama state representative, has served in Congress since 2010. Earlier this year he ran in the U.S. Senate Republican primary for the seat currently held by Luther Strange, but came in third behind Strange and Roy Moore. Brooks said if he had won that election, he may not have taken time to go to the doctor and his cancer would have gone undetected.
"In retrospect and paradoxically, losing the Senate race may have saved my life," he said.
During his speech on the House floor, Brooks encouraged men who are of the appropriate age to get screenings for the disease.
"Don't ever, ever, take your health or family for granted," Brooks said. "During the holidays, enjoy your family, because no one -- no one -- is promised tomorrow."
