14 DAY TRIAL // Texas's ex-governor, Ann Richards, confessed on Wednesday that she has cancer of the esophagus and will be treated at the famous Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
Richards, 72, known for being a strong fighter against medical system problems, received her results on Tuesday; her treatment could include surgery, radiation or chemotherapy, said her spokesman Bill Maddox. Even though the disease is one of the most serious forms of cancer, scientists say detection and treatment techniques have gone through a great improve.
Symptoms include losing weight and difficulty in swallowing. "They're going to review them [the medical records], after which a decision will be made on when Governor Richards will be admitted," Maddox added.
Esophagus cancer is a relatively rare disease, only 5 in 100,000 Americans suffering from it. Still, this cancer kills 90% of the cases in about 5 years. The American Cancer Society estimates that this year 14,500 Americans will be diagnosed with cancer, out of which 13,500 will die.
Richards was Texas' 45th governor, serving from 1991 to 1995. She lost the position in 1994 to George W. Bush and since 2001 has been working as a senior adviser at Public Strategies Inc. Previously, in 1996, the woman was diagnosed with osteoporosis.
After battling the illness, she published in 2003 a book entitled "I'm Not Slowing Down - Winning My Battle With Osteoporosis." Richards is also a recovering alcoholic, who smoked for more than 20 years. "I smoked like a chimney and drank like a fish," she said after fighting her alcohol addiction.