A health announcement regarding Windsor's mayor has been made.
Multiple media reports indicated on Monday afternoon that Mayor Drew Dilkens had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The mayor confirmed his diagnosis via a video posted on his official Facebook page on Monday evening.
"Earlier this summer, my PSA [Prostate Specific Antigen] number was rising, which indicated that I should go for an MRI test to determine whether those PSA results were accurate," said Dilkens. And, the test showed a growth on my prostate that required a biopsy. A subsequent biopsy concluded that, like 30,000 other Canadian men this year, I have been diagnosed with prostate cancer."
Dilkens added that he will have a procedure completed on Tuesday in London and stay in hospital through Thursday.
The mayor said his diagnosis, during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, really hit home.
"Had it not been for my family history, and my family doctor's great advice, I would have never even known that I have cancer," said Dilkens, adding that early detection is the best shot at a full recovery with little or no adverse effects.
City Council has designated Ward 6 Councillor Jo-Anne Gignac to serve as acting mayor while Dilkens is hospitalized. The mayor will then spend a few weeks recovering at home and will work remotely.