Gov. Bill Walker announced today he’s been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Following his doctor’s advice, he will have surgery in December to remove it.
“It’s certainly treatable,” Walker told reporters. “It was found not as a result of any particular symptoms, just regular testing, which I certainly encourage others to do.”
Walker said the diagnosis has not and will not impair his ability to perform his duties. The cancer was detected on October 21. Walker made the announcement at his Anchorage office, surrounded by his wife Donna, other family members, and Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott.
While Walker said the cancer was a private matter, he says he made it public after discussing it with his family, as well as Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, who also had prostate cancer, and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, who has lymphoma.
“There’s really no reason not to be public about it,” Walker said. “In fact, the good part about being public about it is I want to Alaskans to be tested regularly.”
Walker will have the procedure done by a surgeon recommended by his doctor. The surgery is expected to last three hours and will be done outside of Alaska, but Walker didn’t say where.
Walker said his recovery is expected to take up to a week before he fully returns to his duties.
“My doctor here in Anchorage provided me the different options and the pros and cons of each of the options. And I’ve chosen to go with surgery,” Walker said. “It’s a one-time, and I want to be done with this as soon as possible.”
Donna Walker said her husband showed no signs of slowing down from the cancer.
“Honestly, the man has had one sick day that I can recall. And that’s when he broke an arm and a leg jumping on our son’s skateboard,” Donna Walker said.
The governor clarified, saying he only broke his ankle and wrist on the skateboard, and he said he flew to a Valdez City Council meeting the next day.
Walker doesn’t expect to take medication long-term after the surgery, but may use painkillers for a short period.
Andrew Kitchenman is the state government and politics reporter for Alaska Public Media and KTOO in Juneau. Reach him at akitchenman@alaskapublic.org.
