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Four years and three months after a rare form of pancreatic cancer almost took his life, BYU head basketball coach Dave Rose underwent surgery on Monday to remove "cancerous spots" discovered in Rose's most recent routine cancer screening.
The surgery was performed by Dr. Courtney Scaife at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Salt Lake City. In a statement released by BYU, Dr. Scaife said "the surgery went well. I expect him to make a full recovery."
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The school said Rose has undergone cancer screenings every six months since he was diagnosed with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor cancer in June 2009.
The tumor caused extensive internal bleeding that led to emergency hospitalization in Las Vegas, as Rose and his family returned from a vacation to Disneyland.
Surgery to discover the cause of the bleeding led to the removal of Rose's spleen and part of his pancreas, and the ensuing cancer diagnosis. A pulmonary embolism during hospitalization also threatened Rose's life, but he recovered from the ordeal to coach his team, on schedule, in the fall of that year.
BYU says Rose is expected to be ready to coach when the Cougars begin official practice to prepare for the 2013-14 season on Oct. 7.
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Even before his cancer scare, Rose was a visible advocate for the cause of cancer awareness and prevention, with strong involvement in the local Children with Cancer Christmas Foundation.
His advocacy efforts have since taken on a more personal meaning, and his visibility has been enhanced by participation in the Coaches vs. Cancer organization--a collaboration between the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the American Cancer Society.
This past season, Rose led his BYU team as the Cougars took part in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic in Brooklyn, N.Y.
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