TORONTO - Doctors are set to provide an update on Toronto Mayor Rob Ford's health today, a full week after he was diagnosed with an abdominal tumour.
The news conference is expected to take place at the city's Mount Sinai Hospital, where Ford has been undergoing tests to determine the exact nature of his tumour.
Speculation about the seriousness of the controversial mayor's condition has been mounting ever since it was announced last week that doctors had discovered a fair-sized tumour when the politician sought treatment for "unbearable" abdominal pain.
The 45-year-old Ford — who has turned into an international celebrity due to a series of scandals — dropped out of the city's mayoral race days later, with his older brother taking his place.
Coun. Doug Ford says the past few days have been "extremely tough" for the family.
But he says his brother has been "strong" and is grateful for the support he has received.
Rob Ford is still running for councillor in the west Toronto ward he represented a decade before he was elected mayor in 2010.
His tumour diagnosis came just over two months after he returned to office following a self-imposed stint in rehab for substance abuse issues.
Ford's role as mayor has been largely symbolic ever since last November, when he was stripped of most of his powers following his admissions of alcohol abuse and drug use during "drunken stupors.''
Those admissions came after months of denials and were followed by the surfacing of videos which appeared to show the mayor making offensive and profane comments.
The mayor has apologized to those hurt by his words and actions, saying he regretted some of his past choices but said he blamed no one but himself for his misconduct.
