Rep. Jim Hagedorn, a first-term Minnesota Republican, announced he has had stage 4 kidney cancer since February 2019 and plans to continue working in Congress.

Hagedorn revealed the diagnosis Wednesday and said the disease had been detected during a routine physical exam before he exhibited any symptoms.

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For most cancers, stages are ranked as numbers 1 through 4. Stage 4 is the highest, meaning the cancer is more advanced, according to the American Cancer Society.

“Exactly two months after marrying my wife, Jennifer, and just six weeks into my job as the First District's Congressman, I was given unexpected and rather shocking news," Hagedorn said in a statement. "Just like millions of other Americans, I was told by my doctor: you have cancer. After prayers and long talks with those closest to me, I was determined to fight it like hell."