Sen. Amy Klobuchar Treated For Stage 1A Breast Cancer

MINNEAPOLIS — Sen. Amy Klobuchar revealed Thursday that she was treated for breast cancer earlier this year. Doctors at Mayo Clinic found small "white spots called calcifications" during a routine mammogram in February.

"After this was discovered, I had a biopsy at Piper Breast Center in Minneapolis, and then learned that I had Stage 1A breast cancer," Klobuchar, 61, wrote in a post on Medium.

"After a number of other tests, I returned to Mayo and had a lumpectomy on the right breast which involved the removal of the cancer. In May, I completed a course of radiation treatment, and after additional follow-up visits, it was determined in August that the treatment went well."

Klobuchar said she — like many other Americans — delayed physicals and routine examinations because of the pandemic. "In fact, more than one in three adults reported delaying or forgoing health care because of coronavirus-related concerns."

Klobuchar is now encouraging women who may have skipped their routine mammogram to seek one out.

"There is rarely a good time to go in for a mammogram or routine health screening," the Democrat from Minnesota noted.

"So many Americans are still juggling their children on their laps and their laptops on their desks. They are constantly balancing their families, their jobs, and their health. It’s easy to put off health screenings, just like I did. But I hope my experience is a reminder for everyone of the value of routine health checkups, exams, and follow-through."