Newsroom

CORVALLIS, Ore. - Oregon State University President Edward Ray underwent surgery Tuesday morning (March 15) for treatment related to prostate cancer.

Ray was diagnosed with the disease in the fall after a routine exam. He began his treatment with neoadjuvant hormonal therapy, a treatment choice that shrinks the prostate tumor to increase success rates of surgery. The surgery, a radical prostatectomy, was performed at Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis.

Ray is expected to come home from the hospital after a short stay and will work from home for a few weeks.

"Much is known today about the treatment of prostate cancer," Ray said. "I feel positive that we detected the cancer early and took an aggressive treatment approach of hormone therapy and surgery. I look forward to a fast recovery and return to the Oregon State University community.

"We have some challenges and many wonderful opportunities," Ray added, "and I don't want to miss that."

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed, non-skin cancer in the United States with the incidence increasing steadily after age 55. One in every six men is estimated to develop the disease in his lifetime. This disease, usually one of the slower moving forms of cancer, has a high survival rate when detected early.

While a full recovery is anticipated, Ray will undergo further testing to ensure that the cancer was confined. He will return to OSU on a limited schedule within a few weeks before assuming a full workload.

Note to Reporters: Luanne Lawrence, OSU's vice president for University Advancement, is the university's source for information on Ed Ray's condition. She can be reached via cell phone at 541-230-4639.