Snow To Have Surgery Monday

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Presidential spokesman Tony Snow is undergoing surgery Monday to remove a growth in his lower abdomen, a procedure he said was being done ``out of an aggressive sense of caution''

Friday, March 23rd 2007, 12:17 pm

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Presidential spokesman Tony Snow is undergoing surgery Monday to remove a growth in his lower abdomen, a procedure he said was being done ``out of an aggressive sense of caution'' because he had colon cancer two years ago.

He said Friday that tests since the growth was discovered have been negative, but that doctors decided to remove it to be sure.

``Please do not leap to conclusions about this because we don't know what this is,'' Snow told reporters. ``We know it's coming out and I know I'll be back soon.''

Snow had his colon removed in 2005 and underwent six months of chemotherapy after being diagnosed with colon cancer.

He said that a recent series of scans revealed the growth. Blood tests and further scans have not indicated a return of his cancer.

Snow joked about Monday's procedure, saying he would ``come back here a little lighter'' than before. He said he would be away from the White House for several weeks for recovery.

``Out of an aggressive sense of caution I'm going to go in for surgery,'' he said.

Deputy press secretary Dana Perino will assume Snow's duties in his absence.

The news came a day after Elizabeth Edwards, wife of Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, announced that her breast cancer has returned in an incurable, but treatable, form. Her husband's campaign will go forward.

``The biggest problem you have sometimes with cancer is flat-out fear,'' Snow said. ``When you see an Elizabeth Edwards saying, `I'm going to embrace life and I'm going to move forward,' that is a wonderful thing.''