Hempstead Town Councilwoman Announces Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Hempstead Town Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney announced at a town meeting on Tuesday that she was diagnosed, and underwent surgery for, breast cancer. She said that she plans to remain in office, and will run for reelection if nominated by her party.

King Sweeney, 45, said that she was diagnosed with breast cancer in the first week of December, and underwent a lumpectomy last week. Once she is fully healed from her surgery -- in about three weeks, she said -- she will undergo three weeks of radiation treatment. She said her doctor found the cancer during a routine mammogram.

"I consider myself extremely fortunate -- I am living proof that routine mammograms do make all the difference," King Sweeney said. "Luckily, the cancer was caught very early and I will make a full recovery."

King Sweeney, a Republican, is the Majority Leader on the Hempstead Town Board. She lives in Wantagh and represents the towns Fifth Councilmatic District, which represents Lido Beach and Point Lookout, as well as parts of Baldwin, Bellmore, Freeport, Merrick, Seaford and Wantagh.

In her statement at the meeting, King Sweeney thanked her family for their support, especially her father, Congressman Peter King, who she said was with her "every gritty step of the way."

"For some political opportunists to even suggest that my dad doesn't care about women's health care and empowerment is appalling," King Sweeney said.

King Sweeney said that, in the wake of her diagnosis, she is going to dedicate herself to raising attention and resources to understand Long Island's high breast cancer rate, as well as to educate women about the importance of routine mammograms.

"I will aggressively push for greater research into Long Island's drinking water, and the impact of environmental toxins on our public Health," said King Sweeney. "More can and must be done at the federal, state and local levels. we cannot allow funding at the National Institute of Health to be held hostage to political infighting and uninformed policy makers. Medical breakthroughs require funding, perseverance and the ability to dream."

Photo courtesy Erin King Sweeney's Office