Former GOP Sen. Ben Sasse Announces Stage-4 Cancer Diagnosis

Former U.S. Senator Ben Sasse Reveals Stage-Four Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis

Former U.S. Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska has announced that he has been diagnosed with metastatic stage-four pancreatic cancer, candidly describing it as “a death sentence” in a heartfelt message to the public.

“This is a tough note to write, but since a bunch of you have started to suspect something, I’ll cut to the chase: Last week I was diagnosed with metastasized, stage-four pancreatic cancer, and am gonna die,” the 53-year-old Sasse wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

In his message, Sasse acknowledged the gravity of his diagnosis while reflecting on mortality with remarkable frankness. “Advanced pancreatic is nasty stuff; it’s a death sentence. But I already had a death sentence before last week too — we all do,” he continued.

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal forms of the disease, with the American Cancer Society reporting that the five-year survival rate for stage-four pancreatic cancer is approximately 3%. The disease is often detected in advanced stages due to vague early symptoms and the pancreas’s location deep within the abdomen.

Sasse, a Republican who represented Nebraska in the Senate from 2015 to 2023, had most recently served as president of the University of Florida. He stepped down from that position last year, citing his wife Melissa’s epilepsy diagnosis and memory issues as reasons for his departure.

“My wife Melissa’s recent epilepsy diagnosis and a new batch of memory issues have been hard, but we’re facing it together,” he explained at the time. “Gator Nation needs a president who can keep charging hard, Melissa deserves a husband who can pull his weight, and my kids need a dad who can be home many more nights.”

Despite the grim prognosis, Sasse expressed both determination and a sense of peace rooted in his Christian faith. “I’ll have more to say. I’m not going down without a fight,” he wrote, noting recent advances in cancer treatment. “One sub-part of God’s grace is found in the jawdropping advances science has made the past few years in immunotherapy and more.”

The former senator also reflected on the personal impact of his diagnosis, particularly regarding his family. “It’s not the kinda thing that holds up when you tell your daughters you’re not going to walk them down the aisle. Nor telling your mom and pops they’re gonna bury their son,” he wrote.

Fellow politicians from across the political spectrum have responded with messages of support. Vice President JD Vance wrote, “I’m very sorry to hear this Ben. May God bless you and your family.”

During his tenure in the Senate, Sasse established himself as a thoughtful conservative voice who occasionally broke with his party on certain issues. He was one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict former President Donald Trump during his second impeachment trial following the January 6 Capitol riot.

After leaving politics, Sasse turned to academia, becoming the University of Florida’s president in February 2023, a position he held until his resignation in July 2024.

In his announcement, Sasse emphasized that while he faces a terminal diagnosis, he intends to approach his remaining time with purpose and even humor. “Death and dying aren’t the same — the process of dying is still something to be lived. We’re zealously embracing a lot of gallows humor in our house, and I’ve pledged to do my part to run through the irreverent tape,” he noted.

As the holiday season approaches, Sasse concluded his message with a reference to his faith, wishing peace to his followers and quoting from the Book of Isaiah: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned….For to us a son is given.”