Former GOP Senator Ben Sasse Announces
Advanced Cancer Diagnosis
National Review,
by
Kamden Mulder
Original Article
Posted By: Dreadnought,
12/23/2025 11:12:09 AM
Former Republican Senator Ben Sasse announced Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, calling the diagnosis “a death sentence.”
“This is a tough note to write, but since a bunch of you have started to suspect something, I’ll cut to the chase: Last week I was diagnosed with metastasized, stage-four pancreatic cancer, and am gonna die,” Sasse wrote in a post on X.
Sasse served as a senator for the state of Nebraska from 2015 to 2023, at which point he resigned to become the president of the University of Florida from February 2023 to July 2024.
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Reply 1 - Posted by:
Mizz Fixxit 12/23/2025 11:29:39 AM (No. 2044627)
I’m sorry to hear about this catastrophic diagnosis.
30 people like this.
Reply 2 - Posted by:
DVC 12/23/2025 11:38:01 AM (No. 2044635)
I have lost count of the number of friends and acquaintances, and their wives who have died from pancreatic cancer. Most don't last out the year. Seems that there are no effective treatments, like there are for many other cancers. One relative is still very healthy after five years with a certain kind of lymph cancer. Fortunately, there is an effective treatment with no serious side effects.
Sadly, not so for pancreatic cancer. Was never a big fan of his politics, but that has nothing to do with my sympathy for him in this sad time.
26 people like this.
Reply 3 - Posted by:
NorthernDog 12/23/2025 11:59:25 AM (No. 2044663)
I am sorry to hear of his diagnosis. Pancreatic cancer is still pretty uncommon but very few live more than 5 years. May his family find peace and comfort in this difficult time.
18 people like this.
Reply 4 - Posted by:
Vaquero45 12/23/2025 12:05:02 PM (No. 2044671)
I was never a fan of this guy - but pancreatic cancer is a death sentence, and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. It acts quickly. He doesn’t have much time left.
20 people like this.
Reply 5 - Posted by:
Maggie2u 12/23/2025 12:08:17 PM (No. 2044678)
Exactly 6 yrs ago this month my S-I-L was diagnosed with this. She died in April four months later.
One of the problems with this cancer is that it's difficult to diagnose and by the time the doctors know what is wrong, it's almost always too late to treat. She was very fit and very active in her church community. And what is also very sad is her sister died a year and a half later from the same cancer.
16 people like this.
Reply 6 - Posted by:
earlybird 12/23/2025 1:20:24 PM (No. 2044728)
FTA:
Sasse was one of seven Republicans who voted to convict President Donald Trump of incitement of insurrection following the January 6 Capitol riot,
8 people like this.
Reply 7 - Posted by:
earlybird 12/23/2025 1:30:46 PM (No. 2044732)
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pancreatic-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20355421
3 people like this.
Reply 8 - Posted by:
Starboard_side 12/23/2025 1:41:10 PM (No. 2044735)
Sorry to hear and hope he's able to spend as much time with family and friends for the time he has left.
6 people like this.
Reply 9 - Posted by:
ladydawgfan 12/23/2025 1:47:57 PM (No. 2044740)
I lost my younger brother to this insidious cancer in 2020. We watched a strapping 6'4" former Navy submariner waste away to nothing, and in the end, he was confined to a hospital bed in his own living room.
Please, God, let alone cure for this be on the horizon!!!
8 people like this.
Did not care all that much for Sasse as a Senator, but pancreatic cancer is not something I would wish upon him. It can be one of the more painful forms of the disease.
6 people like this.
Reply 11 - Posted by:
JoElla Bee 12/23/2025 3:57:36 PM (No. 2044771)
Politics aside, I hate to hear this terrible news. I know of 4 people who have survived pancreatic cancer in my area. One for six years, two for fewer years, and one for over twenty years. They each were diagnosed before it reached stage four. But, I think another factor, even if it’s diagnosed earlier, is location and attachment of the tumor, not to mention the knowledge, treatment decisions and skill levels of the oncologist, surgeon and radiologist, as well as the positive attitude and actions of the patient regarding diet, etc. However, sometimes there is simply nothing that can be done.
One positive thing, about knowing in advance that you’re going to die, is the opportunity to make certain of your soul’s salvation during the time you have left before you pass into eternity. Tragically, many people believe faith alone will save you. The word of God does not teach that, but many choose to believe it until death despite being shown the scriptures refuting it.
3 people like this.
Reply 12 - Posted by:
jalo1951 12/23/2025 6:21:10 PM (No. 2044798)
My grandfather was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died the next week. I always had emotional reservations on that outcome. I was glad he did not have to deal with treatment that would lead to the same outcome and still suffer. But I wish we could have had more time together. I am sorry for all people and their families who have to deal with a cancer diagnosis. We all know and love someone who has been touched by this awful disease. God Bless us All.
3 people like this.
Reply 13 - Posted by:
earlybird 12/23/2025 6:34:22 PM (No. 2044800)
Most do not understand tjat cancer is about body cells that do not behave properly. They don't die off (normal) but remain and form clumps (tumors) - Then cells break off he tumor and move throughout the bloodstream, tp pther parts of the body. Metastasis. Stage 4.
3 people like this.
Reply 14 - Posted by:
earlybird 12/23/2025 6:45:20 PM (No. 2044801)
The word for what I was trying to explain is "apoptosis"; Just found this - it might clarify what cancer is:
"Apoptosis is the process of programmed cell death. It is used during early development to eliminate unwanted cells; for example, those between the fingers of a developing hand. In adults, apoptosis is used to rid the body of cells that have been damaged beyond repair. Apoptosis also plays a role in preventing cancer. If apoptosis is for some reason prevented, it can lead to uncontrolled cell division and the subsequent development of a tumor."
More here:
https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/apoptosis
1 person likes this.
Reply 15 - Posted by:
mifla 12/24/2025 6:21:34 AM (No. 2044930)
Prayers.
1 person likes this.
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