WASHINGTON DC — Senator Humphrey Wadsworth McGee (R) of West Virginia achieved notoriety in recent years for his staunch opposition to the science behind climate change. Even in 2018, when most Republicans have admitted the fact that climate change exists, albeit while often disagreeing with their friends across the aisle on how to remedy the situation, McGee remains obstinate in his denial of human affect on the environment, calling climate scientists a “bunch of fancy pants left-wing university snobs.”

For someone known to hurl insults upon the scientific community and disregard majority scientific opinion, it came as a surprise to many when he announced he’d soon be undergoing chemotherapy to treat his colon cancer.

Last night, Senator McGee sat down with CBS News to discuss his decision. The following is a brief excerpt of that conversation:

CBS NEWS: You’ve made your name opposing scientific findings, especially as they relate to climate change, environmental science, oceanography, and meteorology. Given your distaste for the scientific community and their methods, what led to you agree to undergo chemotherapy treatment?

Senator McGee (R): Well, it wasn’t easy. But cancer’s a serious thing. This is my life we are talking about. There’s no room for politics in personal health. So even though I’ve been eating an apple a day my whole and praying every evening, I still have cancer. So I figured it’s probably time to try a Hail Mary and see what these quack doctors can do.

CBS NEWS: So you’re turning to science in this case does not indicate a softening of your climate change denial?

Senator McGee (R): Not in the least. There’s just no direct evidence for it, whereas with my cancer it’s pretty obvious. A tumor in your ass is a lot more apparent than a melting ice cap.

CBS NEWS: That’s one way of looking at it.

Senator McGee (R): It’s simple really. You can’t actually feel the climate changing here on Earth, but you can certainly feel it in Uranus — get it? Sorry, I’m trying to use humor to keep my spirits up during this difficult time.

CBS NEWS: No apology necessary, I can only imagine what you’re going through. May I ask what first brought you around to accepting treatment? I read that you tweeted 3% of your doctors told you treatment wasn’t necessary, but you decided to push forth on a chemo regiment anyway?

Senator McGee (R): That’s true, I did receive a few dissenting opinions in terms of what route I should take. 3% of the doctors told me chemotherapy wouldn’t be beneficial, but I’ll trust the majority here— those 3% are clearly paid off by lobbyists for the coffin industry.