Ben Sasse shares reality of terminal cancer at 54

Former Sen. Ben Sasse says he was diagnosed in December with stage 4 metastatic pancreatic cancer, received a three- to four-month life expectancy, and is taking an oral drug in clinical trials that he reports has reduced tumor size though his prognosis remains terminal.

Former Nebraska senator Ben Sasse has spoken publicly about his terminal cancer diagnosis and the choices he has made since. He appeared on a New York Times podcast to discuss his condition and prognosis. Medical testing in December found stage 4 pancreatic cancer with metastases and doctors described it as not operable. He has pursued clinical trials and treatments while speaking openly about living with limited time. Known details: - He was diagnosed in December with stage 4 pancreatic cancer that had already metastasized, and doctors reported it was not operable. - In mid-December he was given a three- to four-month life expectancy and later noted he was around Day 99 since that estimate. - He is participating in clinical trials and is taking an oral drug called daraxonrasib as part of treatment. - He reported imaging that showed about a 76% reduction in tumor size since late December, but described the overall prognosis as still terminal. Summary: Sasse has described living with metastatic pancreatic cancer while undergoing trial treatment that has reduced some tumors but has not produced a cure. Undetermined at this time.