White House press secretary Snow returns to work

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - White House spokesman Tony Snow, trying to battle through a recurrence of colon cancer, returned to work on Monday after a month's absence and said he will start chemotherapy this week.

Snow, 51, said his goal is to use chemotherapy treatment to put the cancer into remission and "transform it into a chronic disease."

"If cancer is merely a nuisance for a long period of time, that's fine with me," he told reporters on his return to the White House briefing room.

Snow underwent exploratory surgery a month ago to remove a small growth about the size of the tip of his small finger, and tests discovered it was malignant. A tumor was also found to be attached to his liver.

Two years ago Snow fought through colon cancer, the same disease that killed his mother.

Snow, one of the most popular members of the Bush administration due in large part to his past work in television and radio, received pile after pile of get-well notes while he was out.

"I won't tell you how it's going to work out, because I don't know. But we obviously feel optimistic, and faith, hope and love are a big part of all of it," Snow said.

Snow's illness comes as the White House tries to deal with multiple crises, including the Iraq war and Democratic attempts to attach a troop pullout timetable to war funding legislation.

Snow's place at the podium was taken by deputy press secretary Dana Perino during his absence, and White House officials said she would stand in again if needed.