KEY POINTS:
CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina - Democrat John Edwards said today he would continue his presidential campaign even though his wife Elizabeth has suffered a recurrence of cancer that first struck her in 2004.
"The campaign goes on. The campaign goes on strongly," Edwards, a former senator from North Carolina and the 2004 Democratic vice presidential nominee, said at a news conference in his hometown.
"The bottom line is her cancer is back. We are very optimistic about this because, having been through some struggles together in the past, we know, the key is to keep your head up," he said.
Some Democrats said Edwards had indicated he would suspend campaign activities while the couple dealt with the cancer but Edwards said he intended to continue his efforts and would head out on a campaign trip tomorrow.
Edwards has been running third among Democrats in national polls behind Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois.
New tests this week found a recurrence of the cancer in a bone, which he said was treatable but incurable.
"The biopsy showed the cancer had returned," Edwards said. "It was malignant. Her cancer will not be cured now. She will have this as long as she's alive."
Elizabeth Edwards' breast cancer was announced in 2004 the day after he and John Kerry lost the election to President George W Bush. Elizabeth, who underwent months of radiation and chemotherapy, wrote about her experiences last year in a book called Saving Graces.
Edwards cancelled a campaign appearance in Iowa and flew back to North Carolina when Mrs. Edwards' doctor requested another test after a routine medical appointment on Tuesday.
- REUTERS
