Longtime NBC Washington news anchor Jim Vance said that he received “the kind of news nobody ever wants to hear” a few weeks ago. Vance, 75, has cancer.

He told viewers on air this Thursday, noting that people have been asking about his recent absence from the News4 at 6 p.m. broadcast.

Vance says he’s getting treatment and appeared to be in good spirits. “I love what I do, I love the people with whom I am privileged everyday to do it,” he said, adding that with the help of his colleagues, viewers, “and the wonders of modern medicine, we all just might be at this for some time yet to come.”

Vance has worked at the NBC station since 1969. He began co-anchoring in 1972, becoming one of the first African American co-anchors of a major market newscast.

“Thank you for your questions, your care, and your concern,” Vance said. “And see you tomorrow.”