Arlen Specter again battles cancer

Former Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter is in the hospital, again battling cancer.

Specter overcame a brain tumor and Hodgkin lymphoma while in office, and has managed to remain active in private life — writing a book, playing squash, and even trying his hand at standup comedy.

A statement from Specter released Tuesday says he’s battling cancer and that it’s a battle he expects to win, adding, “I’m looking forward to getting back to work, to the comedy stage, to the squash court, and to the ballpark.”

Former City Councilman Frank Rizzo says Specter is better equipped than most 82-year-olds to take cancer on again.

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“You know, fortunately, the senator has always been in very good physical health, very active, played a lot of aggressive sports,” Rizzo said. “I personally believe that if he hadn’t been in such good muscular shape, physical shape that he probably wouldn’t be with us.”

Specter served 30 years in the Senate, making him Pennsylvania’s longest-serving member of that body. In 2010, he switched parties and became a Democrat, losing the party primary to U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak.

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