Jack Layton has prostate cancer

Federal NDP Leader Jack Layton announced at a press conference this afternoon in Toronto that in late 2009 he was diagnosed with treatable prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is a treatable and relatively lesser fatal form of the disease. Layton's father, Robert Layton, a former Progressive Conservative cabinet minister in Brian Mulroney's government, was also diagnosed with prostate cancer, and in May 2002 died due to complications from prostate cancer and Parkinson’s disease. Layton would emphasize at the press conference that "Like my dad, I am a fighter and I am going to beat this". Layton's wife, fellow NDP MP Olivia Chow, was also previously diagnosed with thyroid cancer, but succesfully battled the disease in 2005 and has been healthy since.

Layton will not be stepping down temporarily as the federal NDP Leader. He will continue to serve as both leader and MP for his riding, Toronto-Danforth. Layton will also undergo cancer treatment in Toronto, which has already begun.

Since being elected leader in 2003, Layton has significantly raised both the profile and the electoral successes of the NDP. The NDP currently holds 37 seats in the House of Commons (57 under a proportional representation electoral system). Under Layton's reign, not only has the party's seat totals dramatically improved, but the party's total voter percentage or share has doubled, as has its public funding.

My thoughts are with Jack, his family, and supporters, while hoping for a speedy recovery.