An East Aurora political consultant, Michael R. Caputo was appointed as the Assistant Secretary Of Public Affairs in the Department Of Health And Human Services by the Trump Administration in April 2020. A New York native, Caputo has been recently diagnosed with metastatic head and neck cancer. The news came from Assemblyman David J. DiPietro.
DiPietro is acting as Caputo’s spokesman for this developing situation. Right now, Caputo is currently residing in Western New York with his family. DiPietro described the ailment as squamous cell carcinoma. Throat cancer specialists classify this condition as metastatic head and neck cancer that originates in the throat.
Surgery Has Be Completed
Caputo did undergo surgery last week as recommended by head and neck doctors taking care of his case. The surgery was to remove a lump on his neck. It was performed at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland. Throat cancer specialists have not noted whether Caputo will undergo chemotherapy for head and neck cancer treatment.
According to Caputo himself, he’s been dealing with the throat lump for months. He only agreed to get the lump assessed after CDC director Robert Redfield and the President urged him to do so. In fact, the President made the arrangements for admission to the National Cancer Institute for Caputo. Head and neck cancer doctors were informed of his condition.
A Possible Return To Washington
Right now, Caputo is on a 60-day leave from his position. This was instructed after Caputo released a controversial Facebook Live claim against some of the CDC doctors. The claim was that some of the CDC doctors and scientists were attempting to influence the agency’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports. He believed their intent was a result of an anti-trump conspiracy.
Caputo did formally apologize to the Health and Human Services Department for his Facebook rant. However, this isn’t the first rant he’s ever made public. Caputo has had a checkered past in regards to his social media presence. Back in 2016, he used his social media accounts to mock the firing of Corey Lewandowski, the campaign manager of the Republican National Convention.
Since taking his position in April, Caputo has officially noted the fact that being away from his family has affected his mental health. Caputo has been living in Washington by himself as his family resides in East Aurora. He has acknowledged that his presence in East Aurora was simply due to handling the lymph node procedure. He still intends to return to Washington after his mandatory 60-day leave.
Whether or not Caputo can follow through with his intent will highly depend on whether or not he undergoes chemotherapy for head and neck cancer treatment. He’s currently talking with a skilled specialist to determine what lies ahead. As Caputo has found out, it’s important to talk with head and neck cancer doctors when you notice any sort of lump developing on your throat. Contact our ENT doctor Los Angeles if you are experiencing similar issues.