Dirk Kempthorne colon cancer diagnosis was announced by his family on Monday, confirming the former Idaho governor’s condition. The 73-year-old former governor and U.S. Secretary of the Interior will begin chemotherapy immediately.
Kempthorne Faces Cancer with Determination
Kempthorne shared his outlook on the diagnosis with a message of hope and resilience.
“While no one wants cancer in their life, let me use this situation to urge everyone to be current in their testing and remain vigilant on updates,” he stated.
He expressed confidence in modern cancer treatments and gratitude for the support he has received. Kempthorne, who has tackled many challenges in his career, said he will face this “challenge of a lifetime” head-on.
A Lifetime of Service
Kempthorne, a Republican, served as:
- Governor of Idaho (1999-2006)
- U.S. Secretary of the Interior (2006-2009) under President George W. Bush
- U.S. Senator (1993-1999)
- Mayor of Boise (1986-1993)
While he has held many leadership roles, his family says his greatest joy is being “Pop Dirk” to his seven grandchildren.
Colon Cancer Awareness: A Vital Message
Dirk Kempthorne colon cancer diagnosis highlights the ongoing threat of colorectal cancer, the second-leading cause of U.S. cancer deaths.
In order to highlight the significance of early screening and prevention, the recommended age for a first colonoscopy has been lowered to 45.
Kempthorne hopes that his message would encourage people to make frequent cancer tests a priority.
Source: IDAHO Press
