Politics

Arnold Chan, Liberal MP, to undergo cancer treatments

Arnold Chan, a Liberal MP who won his Toronto-area seat in a summer byelection is taking time away from the Commons to undergo cancer treatment.
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and MP Dominic LeBlanc (right) escort new Liberal MP Arnold Chan in the House of Commons, Monday, Sept. 15, 2014 in Ottawa. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)

A Liberal MP who won his Toronto-area seat in a summer byelection is taking time away from the Commons to undergo cancer treatment.

Arnold Chan says in a website post that he found out earlier this month he has nasopharyngeal cancer.

The disease affects the part of the throat that lies behind the nose.

He says he will have to undergo a period of aggressive treatment, but his doctors say his prognosis is excellent.

Chan says he'll have to spend some time away from Parliament, and his office will help handle his constituency work in his absence.

The former Queen's Park staffer and lawyer won the Scarborough-Agincourt seat vacated by longtime Liberal Jim Karygiannis.