Conservative MP Chuck Strahl has lung cancer

Chuck Strahl -- the Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons and Conservative MP from British Columbia -- has lung cancer.

The 48-year-old has been a Member of Parliament since 1993. He represents the riding of Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon.

In a news release on Monday, Strahl described lung cancer as a disease with no cure, only treatment.

Strahl said he'd suffered a collapsed lung in the beginning of July and initially thought he had the flu, and was hospitalized when the lung collapsed again.

Strahl said he expects he'll have to make many decisions in the coming months, including whether to run for re-election.

"Cancer is a serious disease, but those of us diagnosed with cancer don't want to be rushed off the playing field and sidelined any too soon."

"I'll be in there sluggin' for now, and much of what comes up will be simply business-as-usual."

He and his wife, Deb, have been married since 1975 and have four children and four grandchildren.