Cook County Commissioner Scott Britton reveals cancer diagnosis
Maybe the thing Scott Britton likes to do most in his job as a Cook County Board commissioner is to get out and talk to people.
That's what makes this chapter in his life difficult.
"Now I can't do that for probably about another six weeks," he said.
Britton, who represents the 14th District after serving as a Glenview trustee and on the District 34 board, revealed earlier this month that he has Stage 1 throat cancer.
Diagnosed at the end of August, he said, in September he started receiving intravenous chemotherapy and external radiation treatments at NorthShore Glenbrook Hospital.
No surgery is required, and the prognosis is for a full recovery.
"If you're going to get cancer, the one I have is probably the most treatable," said Britton, who turns 61 on Nov. 12. He said his form of cancer has a 95% recovery rate.
His last treatments are scheduled for Nov. 8; he then plans to take a month to recover, he said.
Concerned mainly with compromising his immune system during a pandemic, Britton said he looks to be back in "full force" by early December and "quasi-normal" by the new year.
Because he must quarantine himself while undergoing treatment and is not publicly visible, Britton said he issued a news release on his situation mainly to inform people that he continues to attend County Board meetings, participate in budget briefings and other board business, though remotely. The 14th District covers all or parts of 19 communities including Glenview, Northbrook, Northfield and Wilmette.
Response to the cancer served as a "sobering" reminder of the importance of health care and quality insurance for vulnerable residents, something he said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is trying to address.
"It's certainly an issue I can sympathize with since I got the diagnosis," Britton said.
He urged people not to ignore warning signs of potential health issues. Britton said he noticed a lump on his neck one day while shaving.
"Don't let stuff like that go. I'm the poster child for it," he said.
"Life throws you some curveballs sometimes, and how you respond to those is a measure of what kind of person you are."