Sen. John McCain has "chosen to discontinue medical treatment" in his battle against brain cancer, according to a statement from his family.
"John has surpassed expectations for his survival," the family's statement read. "But the progress of disease and the inexorable advance of age render their verdict."
The news comes less than a week from the senator's 82nd birthday on August 29.
McCain was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, in July 2017. He has continued to serve in the Senate while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation.
As the state's senior senator, McCain has served over three decades in Congress for Arizona.
"Last summer, Senator John McCain shared with Americans the news our family already knew: he had been diagnosed with an aggressive glioblastoma, and the prognosis was serious," the statement read.
The cancer was discovered after the senator underwent a procedure to remove a blood clot near his eye. Following the diagnosis, McCain returned to the Senate where he gave a big thumbs down to an Affordable Care Act repeal bill. The startling blow killed a skinny measure that would have replaced parts of Obamacare.
Since then, Arizona's senior senator has been hospitalized for side effects related to his cancer treatment, received treatment for a "minor tear" in his Achilles tendon, and underwent intestinal surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix.
McCain left the Capitol in December 2017, returning to his home near Sedona in northern Arizona, for treatment. He hasn't gone back to Washington D.C. since.
In the statement, the McCain family said they were "immensely grateful for the support and kindness of all his caregivers over the last year, and for the continuing outpouring of concern and affection from John’s many friends and associates."
"With his usual strength of will, he has now chosen to discontinue medical treatment," the statement read.
McCain's daughter, Meghan, said the family is "deeply appreciative of all the love and generosity you have shown us during this past year."
"Thank you for all your continued support and prayers. We could not have made it this far without you - you've given us strength to carry on," Meghan McCain tweeted.
Cindy McCain said "God bless everyone who has cared for my husband along this journey," adding she loved her husband "with all my heart."
Read the family's full statement:
“Last summer, Senator John McCain shared with Americans the news our family already knew: he had been diagnosed with an aggressive glioblastoma, and the prognosis was serious. In the year since, John has surpassed expectations for his survival. But the progress of disease and the inexorable advance of age render their verdict. With his usual strength of will, he has now chosen to discontinue medical treatment. Our family is immensely grateful for the support and kindness of all his caregivers over the last year, and for the continuing outpouring of concern and affection from John’s many friends and associates, and the many thousands of people who are keeping him in their prayers. God bless and thank you all."
