Florida first lady Casey DeSantis has breast cancer

Florida first lady Casey DeSantis has breast cancer, her husband Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Monday.

DeSantis, 41, is the mother of the couple’s three children, the youngest of whom was born after the governor took office in January 2019.

“As she faces the most difficult test of her life, she will … not only have my unwavering support but the support of our entire family, as well as the prayers and well wishes from Floridians across our state. Casey is a true fighter, and she will never, never, never give up,” the Republican governor said in a statement.

Casey DeSantis has played an active role in her husband’s administration, advocating for people with mental health issues.

“Our hearts are with Florida’s First Lady Casey DeSantis and her family. We are all praying for you!” Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said on Twitter. Fried is running for the Democratic nomination to challenge DeSantis in next year’s election.

The DeSantis family is keeping the specifics of the diagnosis private.

Last month the family released photos of Casey DeSantis with her children.

She was the picture of health but professionals say it’s a common misconception that breast cancer is an older woman’s disease.

While the median age is 63 years old, 7% of breast cancers are diagnosed under the age of 40.

“It can obviously be very distressing anytime somebody that we know or somebody very young is diagnosed with a cancer like breast cancer,” said Dr. Kristina Mirabeau, a Genesis Care Radiation Oncologist. “I think it’s very important that people are staying on top of their age-appropriate screening, so the general recommendations for breast cancer screenings are starting at age 40 to have annual mammograms.”

Early detection and knowing your family history give women a greater chance of beating breast cancer.

I called @GovRonDeSantis to offer my deepest prayers and support for him and his family during this difficult journey after @FLCaseyDeSantis breast cancer diagnosis. My own wife, Katie, has been breast cancer free for 3 years now. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/C6cpb0pfVI

— Jimmy Patronis (@JimmyPatronis) October 4, 2021