CHEYENNE -- Wyoming Treasurer Joe Meyer announced Tuesday that he has lung cancer and expects to undergo surgery in Cheyenne next week.

Meyer, 68, said he discovered the cancer about two weeks ago when he sought medical treatment for chest pain. He said doctors have told him that the tumor in his left lung is malignant but has not spread.

Meyer, a Republican, is serving his third year as state treasurer. He also has served as Wyoming attorney general and secretary of state.

Meyer and his wife, Mary, held a news conference at the state Capitol to announce his medical condition. He said he expects to be back at work within four to six weeks. He intends to finish this term but hasn't decided whether to seek re-election next year.

The tumor is enclosed in fluid and hasn't spread to other parts of the body, Meyer said.

"All things considered, it could have been a heck of a lot worse. We're just lucky to have discovered it early," he said.

Meyer said he's been a cigarette smoker for 45 years and believes that contributed to the cancer. He said he has tried to quit many times. Meyer also said there's a history of cancer in his family.

He said the insidious thing about cigarette smoking is it takes so long for things to happen.

"It's taken 45 years," Meyer said. "You tend to minimize it in your head; you forget the lessons. I quit for two, two-and-a-half years. I felt so good. I was jogging, I was 53-54 then. But you think, 'Well heavens, I'm one of those statistics it's never going to happen to.' Well, duh. I guess it happened."

Meyer said he's confident that the staff of the treasurer's office will keep things running smoothly while he's recovering. Deputy Treasurer Sharon Garland will be in charge.

Meyer is a native of Casper and received his law degree from the University of Wyoming. He is a longtime friend of former Vice President Dick Cheney and has escorted Cheney when he has visited the Wyoming Legislature in recent years.