Gov. Mark Dayton Says He Has Prostate Cancer

A day after collapsing while delivering a speech, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton revealed to lawmakers Tuesday that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer on Friday. Dayton, who will turn 70 Thursday, said surgery or radiation from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester could be a part of the treatment.

Despite the diagnosis, Dayton said he plans to finish his term as governor, which ends in 2019. "People deserve a governor who is on the job, qualified to perform the job intellectually and physically, and I believe I am," he said.

The announcement comes after Dayton collapsed Monday night in the middle of his State of the State speech. After being attended to by medical personnel, Dayton reportedly walked out of the Capitol under his own.

About 45 minutes into his annual address, the governor began slurring his words slightly before slumping over his podium. "Get him to the ground!" someone yelled, as officials in the room rushed to his side.

Dayton said his fainting episode Monday is not related to his prostate cancer, Twin Cities Public Television's Mary Lahammer reported.

Dayton said he originally planned to share his prostate cancer diagnosis with the public next week, following a scheduled medical appointment, the Star Tribune reported.

Image via Office of Governor Mark Dayton & Lt. Governor Tina Smith, Flickr, used under Creative Commons