The Most Revd Frank Griswold will undergo surgery for early-stage prostate cancer on September 11. In a letter to the members of the House of Bishops, dated August 7, Bishop Griswold wrote:

"On the Monday following General Convention, I learned that I have early stage, and therefore most likely, contained prostate cancer. Since then I have sought various medical opinions and have elected surgery, which is presently scheduled for September 11. The weeks immediately following I will be at home and in the office. This means, unfortunately, that a number of commitments in September and early October will have to be cancelled or rescheduled."

The Episcopal News Service report added: Because he has his PSA (prostate specific antigen) level tested every six months, the cancer is "very much in its early stages and there is every likelihood that surgery will take care of it," Griswold added in a separate note to his Council of Advice. (The Council of Advice is comprised of the episcopal leadership of the nine provinces of the Episcopal Church and some officers of the House of Bishops). Elevated PSA levels are an early warning sign of possible cancer.

In an e-mail to his staff Bishop Griswold was upbeat. "By way of encouragement, the surgeon showed Phoebe and me photographs of former patients, who, shortly after their surgery were kayaking, playing tennis, and hiking up mountains," he said. "I can't promise to be doing the same, but there is every reason to think that I will snap back without too much difficulty."

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among American men.It is estimated that 1 in 3 American men will develop prostate cancer in his lifetime. Surgery is one of the most common treatments for patients in good health.

In his letter the Primate asked for the prayers of people in the church community.