Former GOP presidential nominee Bob Dole says he has advanced lung cancer

Former GOP presidential candidate and Kansas Sen. Bob Dole announced Thursday that he has advanced lung cancer.

The 97-year-old Dole made the announcement on Twitter, as reported by The New York Post.

"Recently, I was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. My first treatment will begin on Monday," he tweeted. "While I certainly have some hurdles ahead, I also know that I join millions of Americans who face significant health challenges of their own."

Dole was a senator from 1969 to 1996, including three non-consecutive years as Senate majority leader (1985-87, 1995-96). 

He served in the House from 1961 to 1969 and was the GOP vice presidential nominee in 1976  and the party's presidential nominee in 1996, when he lost to Democrat Bill Clinton.