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Rachel V Thomas

Former US Senator Ben Sasse Opens Up About Battle With Terminal Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer

Former US Senator <span>Ben Sasse</span> is battling Stage 4 <span>pancreatic <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/cancer">cancer</a></span> that has spread around his body. According to his doctors, he now has four types of <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/cancer">cancer</a></span>: lymphoma, vascular, lung cancer, liver cancer, and pancreatic cancer.

Speaking to The New York Times’s “Interesting Times” podcast, the Republican Senator from <span>Nebraska</span> reflected on his life and impending death.

<span>Sasse</span> was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in December 2025, which remained in the shadows for a long time. Until late October, Sasse had no symptoms. But it started with a lot of back and abdominal pain. Initially, he thought it was due to “some ab muscles pulled from stupid forms of training”.

His doctors thought Sasse had some undiagnosed celiac disease or some dairy allergy. However, a full body scan in December revealed that Sasse’s “torso is chock-full of tumors.” 

“In mid-December, I got a three- to four-month life expectancy,” he was quoted as saying. 

“They told me over the course of the next couple of days that I already have five forms of cancer: lymphoma, vascular, lung cancer, bad liver cancer, and pancreatic, where it originated,” the former senator added. “So, it was pretty clear that we’re dealing with a short number of months left to live.”

Sasse represented Nebraska in the Senate for eight years before resigning to become the president of the University of Florida in July 2024.

During the interview, Sasse said his condition has improved since last December -- his pain is 80 percent reduced. 

"I’m at Day 99 or something since then, and I’m doing a heck of a lot better than I was doing at Christmas," he said.

However, the former senator noted that he deals with nausea, as well as bleeding on his face due to intake of the investigational new drug daraxonrasib.

During the interview, the former lawmaker’s face was covered in dried blood.

<h2>Death A Wicked Thief, Says Ben Sasse</h2>

Sasse, a father of three, said he felt a “heaviness” with respect to realizing he did not have much time left with his family.

“I didn’t like the idea of my 14-year-old son not having a dad around at 16,” he remarked. “I didn’t like the idea of my daughters, who are 22 and 24, not having their dad there to walk them down the aisle. I felt a real heaviness about that.” 

However, the Nebraska Republican said he has “continued to feel peace about the fact that death is something that we should hate.” 

“We should call it a wicked thief,” he continued. “And yet, it’s pretty good that you pass through the veil of tears one time and then there will be no more tears, there will be no more cancer.”

<h2>What Is Pancreatic Cancer? Know The Warning Signs</h2>

Pancreatic cancer has long been one of the toughest challenges in oncology. With a five-year survival rate hovering around 13 percent and recurrence rates approaching 80 percent after treatment, the odds have historically been stacked against patients. 

The prevention and early detection remain vital.

Experts warn that pancreatic cancer often masquerades as common ailments, delaying diagnosis. Here are some early symptoms that should never be ignored: 

<ul><li>Abdominal or back pain that worsens over time or eases when leaning forward. </li><li>Unexplained weight loss without changes in diet or exercise. </li><li>Jaundice, including yellowing of the eyes and skin, sometimes with intense itching. </li><li>Changes to urine or stool, such as dark urine or pale, greasy stools. </li><li>New-onset diabetes without obvious risk factors. </li><li>Persistent fatigue unrelated to poor sleep or lifestyle</li></ul>These symptoms often appear in combination and warrant immediate medical attention — particularly for those with a family history of pancreatic cancer.

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Former US Senator Ben Sasse is battling Stage 4 pancreatic cancer that has spread around his body. According to his doctors, he now has four types of cancer: lymphoma, vascular, lung cancer, liver cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Speaking to The New York Times’s “Interesting Times” podcast, the Republican Senator from Nebraska reflected on his life and impending death. Sasse was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in December 2025, which remained in the shadows for a long time. Until late October, Sasse had no symptoms. But it started with a lot of back and abdominal pain. Initially, he thought it was due to “some ab muscles pulled from stupid forms of training”. His doctors thought Sasse had some undiagnosed celiac disease or some dairy allergy. However, a full body scan in December revealed that Sasse’s “torso is chock-full of tumors.”  “In mid-December, I got a three- to four-month life expectancy,” he was quoted as saying.  “They told me over the course of the next couple of days that I already have five forms of cancer: lymphoma, vascular, lung cancer, bad liver cancer, and pancreatic, where it originated,” the former senator added. “So, it was pretty clear that we’re dealing with a short number of months left to live.” Sasse represented Nebraska in the Senate for eight years before resigning to become the president of the University of Florida in July 2024.During the interview, Sasse said his condition has improved since last December -- his pain is 80 percent reduced. "I’m at Day 99 or something since then, and I’m doing a heck of a lot better than I was doing at Christmas," he said.However, the former senator noted that he deals with nausea, as well as bleeding on his face due to intake of the investigational new drug daraxonrasib. During the interview, the former lawmaker’s face was covered in dried blood. Death A Wicked Thief, Says Ben Sasse Sasse, a father of three, said he felt a “heaviness” with respect to realizing he did not have much time left with his family. “I didn’t like the idea of my 14-year-old son not having a dad around at 16,” he remarked. “I didn’t like the idea of my daughters, who are 22 and 24, not having their dad there to walk them down the aisle. I felt a real heaviness about that.” However, the Nebraska Republican said he has “continued to feel peace about the fact that death is something that we should hate.”  “We should call it a wicked thief,” he continued. “And yet, it’s pretty good that you pass through the veil of tears one time and then there will be no more tears, there will be no more cancer.” What Is Pancreatic Cancer? Know The Warning Signs Pancreatic cancer has long been one of the toughest challenges in oncology. With a five-year survival rate hovering around 13 percent and recurrence rates approaching 80 percent after treatment, the odds have historically been stacked against patients.  The prevention and early detection remain vital.Experts warn that pancreatic cancer often masquerades as common ailments, delaying diagnosis. Here are some early symptoms that should never be ignored: Abdominal or back pain that worsens over time or eases when leaning forward. Unexplained weight loss without changes in diet or exercise. Jaundice, including yellowing of the eyes and skin, sometimes with intense itching. Changes to urine or stool, such as dark urine or pale, greasy stools. New-onset diabetes without obvious risk factors. Persistent fatigue unrelated to poor sleep or lifestyleThese symptoms often appear in combination and warrant immediate medical attention — particularly for those with a family history of pancreatic cancer.

former us senator ben sasse opens up about battle with terminal stage 4 pancreatic cancer

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Former US Senator Ben Sasse Opens Up About Battle With Terminal Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer

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Health Conditions A-Z

Former US Senator Ben Sasse Opens Up About Battle With Terminal Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer

Want To Stave Off Dementia Risk? 3 Simple Lifestyle Changes May Help, Says Study

Why A Persistent Cough Can Be An Early Warning Sign Of Lung Cancer: Doctors Explain