Senator John McCain Stops Brain Cancer Treatment

August 24, 2018
Brielle Benyon
Brielle Benyon

Brielle Benyon, Assistant Managing Editor for CURE®, has been with MJH Life Sciences since 2016. She has served as an editor on both CURE and its sister publication, Oncology Nursing News. Brielle is a graduate from The College of New Jersey. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, CrossFit and wishing she had the grace and confidence of her toddler-aged daughter.

The senator's family announced that he will no longer be undergoing treatment for glioblastoma.

Senator and former presidential candidate John McCain has stopped medical treatment for his diagnosis of glioblastoma (GBM) — an aggressive form of brain cancer – according to a statement issued by his family on Friday, Aug. 24.

“Last summer, Senator John McCain shared with Americans the news our family already knew: He had been diagnosed with an aggressive glioblastoma, and the prognosis was serious. In the years since, John has surpassed expectations for his survival,” the statement said. “But the progress of disease and the inexorable advance of age render the verdict. With his usual strength of will, he has now chosen to discontinue medical treatment.”

McCain’s diagnosis followed the discovery of a blood clot at a routine doctor’s appointment, which led to a CAT scan and MRI, and ultimately his GBM diagnosis.

McCain’s family offered appreciation in the statement, saying “Our family is immensely grateful for the support and kindness of all his caregivers over the last year, and for the continuing outpouring of concern and affection from John’s many friends and associates, and the many thousands of people who are keeping him in their prayers. God bless and thank you all.”