Alan Gross (left) in July 2009 and Gross in May 2012 (right)WASHINGTON -
The Obama administration wants an American imprisoned in Cuba to see his personal physician amid concerns he may have a cancerous growth on his shoulder.
State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland says Maryland native Alan Gross should be released. Short of that, she says Gross should be allowed to see a U.S. doctor.
The 63-year-old Gross has been in prison since 2009. He was a U.S. government subcontractor when he was arrested for bringing illegal communications equipment to Cuba. His case has become a thorn in U.S.-Cuba relations.
Cuba says Gross' health is normal.
But an American physician who reviewed medical records sent by Cuba says Gross may have a cancerous growth. Radiologist Alan Cohen believes the mass appeared months ago and must be presumed cancerous unless proven harmless.
By BRADLEY KLAPPER Associated Press
