On Wednesday, I shared the news of former Texas Governor Ann Richards, 72, esophageal cancer diagnosis. After consulting with the oncology physicians and staff at MD Anderson Cancer Center, she is returning home today. The independently strong and feisty feminist of quick wit, whose personality is as big as her home state of Texas, has stated she plans to fight this cancer. At this time, it has not been made public if Richards will have surgery, radiation or chemotherapy, or a combination of all three. When first diagnosed with cancer, there are many options to consider, and it takes time to research which ones will be the best.

Cancer of the esophagus is considered one of the most lethal cancers. Richards has been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell is typically found in the upper area of the esophagus, where it is often not removable. Her tumor was found in the middle area. Cancer of the esophagus is most easily removed in the lower third. According to The American Cancer Society, 14,500 Americans will be diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus this year and 13,500 will die from it. Richards has been told that her cancer is treatable.

"She's handling it very well," said utility lobbyist John Fainter of Austin, Richards' chief of staff as governor and friend of 30 years. "It's like she attacks most of the problems in her life. She meets them head-on and gets them solved."

The main symptoms of esophageal cancer are difficulty swallowing and weight loss. In rare cases, people can have mid-chest pain or discomfort, a slight sensation of pressure, or burning.

Former Texas Governor Ann Richards announced today she has been diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus and will be undergoing treatment at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Richards, 72, was the 45th Texas governor, a Democrat serving from 1991 to 1995. She rose to nationwide fame as the keynote speaker at the 1988 Democratic National Convention with the line referring to George H.W. Bush, "Poor George, he can't help it...He was born with a silver foot in his mouth."

The risks for cancer of the esophagus are far greater for heavy drinkers and smokers. Richards once stated, "I smoked like a chimney and drank like a fish,'' when she sought treatment for alcoholism in 1980.

"Ann Richards holds a special place in Texas history," said Gov. Rick Perry. ''Anita and I join Texans across the state in sending our prayers and best wishes." We wish her all the best too, and a speedy recovery.

The Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, in the first updated assessment of the nationwide health risk estimates for air toxics since 1996, reports that people who live in large cities have a 25 in a million greater chance of developing cancer than the general population. The lifetime cancer risk in transportation corridors and some other locations is greater than 50 in a million. Benzene is the most significant air toxic for which cancer risk could be estimated, contributing 25 percent of the average individual cancer risk identified in the EPA assessment. In addition, the EPA concluded that diesel exhaust is among the substances that poses the greatest relative risk. Which all helps to explain why, even though smoking is said to be the leading cause of lung cancer, many people who do not smoke cigarettes are diagnosed with lung cancer.