Justice Ginsburg opens up about cancer treatment
TEASER: Ruth Bader Ginsburg says she's alive and well.
U.S. Supreme Court Ruth Bader Ginsburg made her second public appearance after a recent cancer scare at the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C. on Saturday.
The 86-year-old justice told the audience she is alive and well, and will be prepared for the court's upcoming arguments, which are a month away.
Ginsburg opened up about her bond with former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Conner, who she referred to as like a 'big sister', and the advice she received from the fellow cancer survivor.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SUPREME COURT JUSTICE RUTH BADER GINSBURG SAYING:
"She was an enormous help in my first cancer bout. Justice O'Conner had a mastectomy and was on the bench nine days after her surgery. So she was going to tell me how to manage this. She said, 'you schedule chemotherapy for Friday, that way you can get over it during the weekend and can get back in court by Monday.'"
Justice Ginsburg's recent radiation therapy to treat a a cancerous tumor on her pancreas was the latest of several medical scares over the last year.
She underwent surgery last December to have two cancerous nodules removed from her left lung and had broken three ribs in a fall the month before.
She was previously treated for colon cancer and pancreatic cancer.
Justice Ginsburg was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1993 by Democratic President Bill Clinton.
As the oldest left-leaning justice, her health is closely watched.
Conservatives on the court currently hold a 5-4 majority.
If Ginsburg were unable to continue serving, President Trump would likely nominate a conservative to replace her, leading to potential impact on issues such as abortion, the death penalty and gay rights.
