Ben Sasse Discusses His Battle with Terminal Cancer

Former Republican Senator Ben Sasse is sharing his personal journey with what he calls a “clear death sentence.”

The 54-year-old father of three received a stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis last year, leaving him reliant on an experimental drug that has caused his skin to become bloody and “bubbly.”

“The harsh reality is that Ben Sasse’s torso is filled with tumors,” he recounted, reflecting on what doctors informed him following a full-body scan, according to a recent interview.

Pancreatic cancer, known for its challenging detection and treatment, is notoriously lethal. In December, doctors estimated he had just three to four months to live.

“We’re 99 days in, and honestly, things are better than they were at Christmas,” Sasse remarked. However, it hasn’t been an easy road.

Currently, he is involved in a clinical trial for daraxonelasib, a targeted therapy aimed at halting the progression of the cancer by blocking the mutated protein responsible in many patients.

“It’s a tough drug to take orally,” he explained, noting that his body has had adverse reactions, resulting in bleeding from unexpected areas.

Sasse likened the unusual state of his skin and face to “like a nuclear weapon.” He recalled a pharmacist’s astonishment regarding his appearance, asking if something “electrical” had been done.

After resigning from his Senate position in January 2023 to take on a role as president of the University of Florida, Sasse departed from that position in July 2024 when his wife, Melissa, was diagnosed with epilepsy.

His journey to diagnosis began with severe back pain, later revealed to be due to a tumor putting pressure on his spine.

Pancreatic cancer arises when cells in the pancreas, which help regulate blood sugar and produce digestive enzymes, malfunction and proliferate uncontrollably. Unfortunately, many do not discover they have the disease until it has advanced.

Initially, doctors prescribed him morphine to alleviate his suffering, leaving him “high as a kite,” though it brought some relief.

Since beginning treatment, the daraxonelasib has effectively reduced the tumor size, allowing for a decreased morphine dosage and lessening associated nausea and fatigue. He now takes around 30 milligrams daily, reporting that his pain has diminished significantly, yet he still experiences vision changes and nausea.

Despite a 76% reduction in tumor volume, Sasse is realistic about his prognosis, explaining that while there’s some improvement, the widespread nature of the disease makes recovery unlikely.

On a broader scale, the medical field is monitoring the results of daraxonelasib carefully. Pancreatic cancer typically resists many traditional treatment methods, making it particularly deadly and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S.

From 2015 to 2021, only 13.3% of those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer were alive five years later. However, Revolution Medicines hopes to alter this pattern with their drug.

In early trials, roughly a third of patients experienced tumor shrinkage, with many showing stable or improved conditions. Patient survival was notably longer than the usual expectancy with standard chemotherapy.

The results have prompted the FDA to expedite the review process for daraxonelasib, a step aimed at accelerating access to promising treatments.

Dr. Christopher Liu, a medical oncology professor, emphasized the importance of faster access to drugs, especially in critical situations like pancreatic cancer.

Looking ahead, an estimated 67,530 Americans could be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2026. For Sasse, the thought of leaving his family weighs heavily on him.

Yet, he finds some peace through his Christian faith regarding his own mortality, acknowledging death as an uncomfortable truth. “It’s an evil thief,” he stated, “but there’s solace in believing that beyond this life, pain ceases to exist.”