FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Jerry Remy didn't have to tell the world that cancer had returned to his lungs. But he didn't want to stay silent.
"I could have kept this under wraps, but I just felt this message would hopefully get people's attention, and they'll get to their doctor," the popular Boston Red Sox broadcaster said Monday on a conference call with reporters. "I can tell you, it saves lives. There's no point in waiting."
Remy said the situation is "under control" and he doesn't plan to stop working.
Remy, 64, was diagnosed in 2008 with lung cancer, likely caused by smoking, and he suffered a relapse in 2013. A scheduled three-month CT scan before Christmas revealed a new spot on Remy's lungs, and although a biopsy confirmed the cancer hadn't spread, he had surgery last week to remove the spot.
On Monday, Remy announced his cancer relapse on his Twitter feed.
Remy signed a multiyear contract extension last month to remain the primary color analyst on Red Sox telecasts on the New England Sports Network. He was scheduled to call 115 games this season, his 30th year in the broadcast booth, and he still expects to meet that number.
"I'm actually looking forward to it," Remy said. "The change of pace is going to be awfully nice, just to think about baseball and warm weather [rather] than what I've been thinking about the last three months."
Remy is scheduled for a follow-up scan on March 1 to make sure the cancer is gone. A clean bill of health would enable him to call four spring-training games for NESN in March.
News of Remy's relapse made its way through the Red Sox's training facility Monday, as pitchers and catchers reported to camp.
"It's tough to go through, absolutely," said ace lefty David Price, who noted that Remy usually arrives in the clubhouse before the players do, in order to prepare for a broadcast. "He's got all of our support. Hang in there."
Said Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski: "Jerry is very well-respected. He's been here a long time. You would travel in here as a visitor and know how well-respected he is in the community. The fans love him, the organization loves him, NESN loves him, so hopefully he's back with us soon."