Joe Paterno Has Lung Cancer

Family says it's treatable, and a full recovery is expected
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 18, 2011 4:48 PM CST
Former Penn State Coach Joe Paterno Has Lung Cancer
Joe Paterno on the sidelines in October.   (AP Photo/Jim Prisching, File)

Joe Paterno has lung cancer, his family said today. Son Scott specified that it was treatable and said doctors expected a "full recovery" for his 84-year-old father, reports USA Today. "As everyone can appreciate, this is a deeply personal matter for my parents, and we simply ask that his privacy be respected as he proceeds with treatment," he said in a statement.

Doctors diagnosed the cancer last weekend when the newly fired football coach got a check-up over a bronchial illness. The NCAA, meanwhile, told Penn State today that it was starting its own investigation into the school's handling of the Jerry Sandusky allegations, notes the Daily Collegian. Read the NCAA letter here. (More Joe Paterno stories.)

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