Waukesha County Executive Dan Vrakas reveals he has prostate cancer

Waukesha County Executive Dan Vrakas revealed Tuesday that he will soon begin treatment for prostate cancer.
Waukesha County Executive Dan Vrakas revealed Tuesday that he will soon begin treatment for prostate cancer. Credit: Mark Hoffman
March 11, 2014
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By Don Behm of the Journal Sentinel

March 11, 2014 0

Waukesha County Executive Dan Vrakas revealed Tuesday he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and might begin treatment as early as next week in San Diego.

The treatment will not interfere with his ability to perform his duties as county executive, Vrakas said in a statement.

Tests confirmed the cancer several weeks ago, according to Vrakas.

"It is not believed the cancer has spread beyond my prostate," he said. "I feel lucky the cancer was detected when it was, and that I will soon begin treatment and get on the path to recovery."

"I strongly encourage men to have annual physicals and to consult their doctor" to determine the need for additional medical screening, Vrakas said. He said his prostate cancer was indicated in tests of blood samples collected during a routine medical checkup in late January.

A followup biopsy confirmed the cancer, he said.

He will receive treatments at the Scripps Proton Therapy Center in San Diego, Calif.

Vrakas became county executive in 2005 after winning a special election. He was re-elected to four-year terms in 2007 and 2011.

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About Don Behm

Don Behm reports on Milwaukee County government, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, the environment and communities in southeastern Wisconsin. He has won reporting awards for investigations of Great Lakes water pollution, Milwaukee's cryptosporidiosis outbreak, and the deaths of three sewer construction workers in a Menomonee Valley methane explosion.

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