Alabama Congressman: Losing Election ‘May Have Saved My Life’

Losing to Roy Moore in the Republican primary for Jeff Sessions’ vacant Alabama senate seat may not have been the worst thing to happen to Congressman Mo Brooks.

In fact, he says, the defeat may just have saved his life.

After losing to Moore in a runoff in September, Brooks paid a visit to his doctor for a physical and underwent a screening for cancer. Doctors discovered high-risk prostate cancer, prompting the four-term lawmaker to say he wasn’t sure if he would have made the doctor visit if he had continued to campaign in the general election.

“God works in mysterious ways,” Brooks said in a short disclosure speech to the House of Representatives this week. … “In retrospect and paradoxically, losing the Senate race may have saved my life.

“Prostate cancer mortality is compelling. Speed is critical in the fight against prostate cancer.”

Brooks will undergo surgery Friday to treat the cancer. He said he plans to recover during the holidays with his family and come back to work in Congress when it reconvenes on Jan. 3.

Brooks’ announcement drew support from his fellow members of Congress.

“My thoughts are with Mo and his family during this challenging time,” Rep. Martha Roby, R-Ala., tweeted.

Brooks was elected in the tea party class of 2010 and is a member of the hard-right Freedom Caucus.

Brooks shared three insights that he has come to realize following his cancer diagnosis.

“First, don’t ever, ever take your health for granted,” he said. “During the holidays, enjoy your family because no one is promised tomorrow. Second, I encourage age-appropriate men to have regular PSA tests. And third, had I won the GOP primary, I would not have had time for my physical and PSA test. I would not have had a prostate biopsy and I would not now know about my prostate cancer.”

Shawn A. Akers is a content development editor for Charisma Media. {eoa}