In text message, Paterno’s son tells ESPN of high survival rate for father’s cancer

    Scott Paterno, the son of Hall of Fame coach Joe Paterno, said in a text message sent to ESPN the survival rate for his father’s type of cancer is high.

    According to ESPN.com, Paterno’s son sent the text message to ESPN.com’s Ivan Maisel Friday night, saying the five-year survival rate for father Joe Paterno’s cancer is more than 70 percent.

    News broke Friday of Paterno’s lung cancer, which according to his son is treatable.

    In a statement, Scott Paterno said his father was diagnosed with the treatable form of lung cancer during a follow-up visit for bronchial illness.

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    Joe Paterno was fired by Penn State after news of an ongoing investigation of former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.

    Investigators have said the longtime coach is not a target in their investigation.

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