Lanman-Trau Diagnosed With Breast Cancer

POG lieutenant governor faces early-stage cancer

LILLAC CITY, POG--Province of Grassadella's lieutenant governor Beth Lanman-Trau has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer.

Lanman-Trau's office made the announcement yesterday in a written statement, and the lieutenant governor spoke with the media herself today at the state capitol in Lillac City.

"Today, I am facing a new challenge in my life--a difficult challenge, but it's not one that cannot be conquered," Lanman-Trau said. "Fighting breast cancer will be tough, but the strength of my faith, family, friends and constituents will help me beat this disease."

The lieutenant governor received the diagnosis last Friday, but waited to make a public announcement until her family had time to come to terms with the situation.

"She obviously wanted her husband and children and the rest of her family to know first, and they wanted a few days to absorb the enormity of the circumstances," spokesman Rod Basso said.

Lanman-Trau has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, which has the highest recovery rate of any level of the disease. She will undergo surgery next Monday at St. Francis Hospital in Lillac City, and then will receive regular treatments of radiation therapy for the next six months, her office confirmed.

She will be out of the office for a week following the surgery, and will return to the capitol when doctors release her back to work.

POG Governor Donna Almone said Wednesday she is saddened at the diagnosis of "a team mate and close friend." Governor Almone told reporters that if Lanman-Trau is temporarily unable to perform her duties, an interim lieutenant governor will be appointed until she is healthy enough to return.

"In the even that Beth can't come back for several weeks, I will appoint someone to hold her post temporarily until she is able to come back," Almone said. "But I know Beth is a fighter, and my gut feeling is that she will be back as soon as she possibly can be."

Lieutenant Governor Lanman-Trau is married to POG Sen. Dick Trau (CNS), who was elected in December 2008. The couple have three children. Lanman-Trau is 46 years old.