U.S. Republican Senator John McCain, an influential and outspoken figure, has decided to discontinue medical treatment for an aggressive form of brain cancer, his family says.
"John has surpassed expectations for his survival," the family said of the Arizona senator in a statement on August 24.
The statement added that the 81-year-old former prisoner of war during the Vietnam conflict “has now chosen to discontinue medical treatment" based on his advanced age and the progression of the "aggressive glioblastoma.”
McCain, despite being in the same political party, has often been a critic of U.S. President Donald Trump, especially in regard to what was perceived as the president’s friendly statements about Russia and President Vladimir Putin.
McCain last month said that "Putin is not America's friend, nor merely a competitor. Putin is America's enemy -- not because we wish it so, but because he has chosen to be."
Trump has often attacked McCain, even after the cancer diagnosis was announced.
McCain unsuccessfully ran as the Republican presidential candidate against Barack Obama in the 2008 election.
He has often been praised for his willingness to cooperate with Democrats on difficult issues.
