Conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh announced Monday he has advanced lung cancer.

Limbaugh, 69, said he will miss some shows due to treatment.

“This day has been one of the most difficult days in recent memories for me because I’ve known this moment was coming in the program today,” Limbaugh said towards the end of Monday’s show. “I’m sure that you all know I really don’t like talking about myself and I don’t like making things about me other than in the usual satirical, joking way. I like this program to be about you and the things that matter to all of us.

“The one thing that I know that has happened over the 31 plus years of this program is that there has been an incredible bond that has developed between all of you and me.

“I have to tell you something that I wish I didn’t have to tell you and it’s a struggle for me because I had to inform my staff earlier today. I cannot escape… (the feeling that I’m) letting everybody down with this. I have been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer.”

Limbaugh said he was diagnosed Jan. 20, a little more than a week after his Jan. 12 birthday.

“I thought about not telling anybody. Thought about doing this with out anybody knowing because I don’t like making this about me but there are days I won’t be able to be here because I’m undergoing treatment or responding to treatment.

“This has happened and my intention is to come here every day I can.”

A native of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Limbaugh started out as a DJ before launching his talk show in 1984. His show was nationally syndicated by 1988 with 56 radio stations. Today it is heard on nearly 600 stations, including several in Alabama.