Elizabeth Edwards, the wife of former Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards, has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
A spokesman for the family said Thursday Mrs. Edwards was diagnosed Wednesday - the same day her husband and Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry conceded defeat in the election.
The spokesman says the Edwards family is optimistic she will make a full recovery.
He says she discovered a lump in her breast last week while campaigning for her husband. The cancer was confirmed after a needle biopsy. Mrs. Edwards is 55-years-old.
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women, and the success of treatment is good if detected early.