Fred Thompson Has Lymphoma, Treatable and Asymptomatic

Fred! himself writes at RedState, and offers an FAQ on his condition:

That point was driven home to me about 2 1/2 years ago when, shortlyafter a routine physical, I was diagnosed with what the doctors call anindolent lymphoma. Of the 30-plus kinds of lymphoma this is a "good"kind, if there is such a thing.

I have had no illness from it, or even any symptoms. My lifeexpectancy should not be affected. I am in remission, and it is verytreatable with drugs if treatment is needed in the future--and with nodebilitating side effects.

I am one of the lucky ones. There are many lucky ones today. And forall of our diversity, we share one thing in common--a deep appreciationfor the fact that we live in the United States of America and have thebest medicine and the best doctors the world has even known.

Instapundit had this to say, which made me think, "aren't we lucky to live in a time and place where we can say that about certain forms of cancer?"

Doesn't sound like a very big deal, but stay tuned.

Allah notes what we're all thinking: You don't announce this if you're not running. 

I don't think the announcement hurts his presidential chances, given that his prognosis is extraordinarily good. The Republican candidate mix is a veritable grab-bag of infirmities and beaten cancers, so I don't know why this would injure him.