Rush Limbaugh diagnosed with advanced lung cancer

Rush Limbaugh announced Monday on his radio show that he’s been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer.

“I can’t escape -- even though people are telling me it’s not the way to look at it, I can’t help but feel that I’m letting everyone down with this," he said. "The upshot is that I have been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer.”

The conservative radio host and political commentator said he realized something was wrong during his birthday weekend last month. He was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer Jan. 20 after he noticed he had shortness of breath.

The 69-year-old told listeners that he hadn’t wanted to share his diagnosis, but that he decided to do so anyway because he’s likely to need to be away from the show as he undergoes treatment.

“There are going to be days that I’m not going to be able to be here because I’m undergoing treatment, or I’m reacting to treatment,” he said, adding that he’ll be gone for the next few days as he and his doctors determine the best course of action for him.

“We’re at full-speed ahead on this, and it’s just now a matter of implementing what we are going to be told later this week,” Limbaugh said. “I hope I’ll be back Thursday. If not, it will be as soon as I can — and know that every day I’m not here, I’ll be thinking about you and missing you.”

Limbaugh’s announcement comes at a tumultuous political time, as the conclusion of President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial nears. The hyper-partisan broadcaster has served as a Republican kingmaker through his decades on the radio.

He started his national radio show in 1988 from New York and later relocated to Palm Beach, Florida.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

© 2020 Cox Media Group