Diana Allen, the wife of U.S. Congressman Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Tom Allen, has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

The Allens today released a joint statement:

“In recent days a routine mammogram detected breast cancer in what doctors have described as a very small malignancy believed at this point to be in its early stages. We will not know the entire story until surgery yields more information, but we are very optimistic that Diana will fully recover.

"Along with our daughters and loved ones, we intend to fight this disease privately but wanted to share this news as directly as possible. We very much welcome your thoughts and prayers.

"In the meantime, our campaign for the U.S. Senate will continue and remain vigorous. Diana feels well and we are partners in this campaign as in our lives together. We married almost 40 years ago and in that time we have experienced the joys and challenges of life together and raising a family. We will continue to talk to Maine voters about how we can change the direction of this state and nation.

"We do want to use this announcement as an opportunity to stress the importance of breast exams and mammograms in prevention and early detection of breast cancer. We strongly urge women to work with their own physicians for good health."

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U.S. Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins have released statements in response to the news.

Snowe released a joint statement with her husband, former Gov. John McKernan: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Diana Allen, Congressman Allen, and their family upon learning of this diagnosis. Time and again, we hear remarkable stories of women who battle breast cancer and make full recoveries, particularly after early detection. We certainly expect Diana will be another of those success stories – and what is important for the entire Allen family to know is that they are not alone in this fight. They have the support of not only Tom’s colleagues in the Congress but the entire state of Maine.”

Collins, who Allen is challenging in the Senate race this year, said: “I am saddened to learn of Diana Allen’s breast cancer diagnosis, but I am relieved to learn from Tom that they expect her treatments to go smoothly and that she will quickly be on the road to recovery. I applaud Diana's effort to remind all women that regular screenings are the most effective way to combat breast cancer and improve a woman’s chances for early detection and successful treatment.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Allen family during this difficult time.”