WASHINGTON - U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer in February, says she doesn't plan to retire any time soon.

"First, I wanted people to see that the Supreme Court isn't all male," the only sitting female justice told USA Today. "I also wanted them to see I was alive and well, contrary to that senator who said I'd be dead within nine months."

Ginsburg was referring to comments by U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., who said she likely would die from the pancreatic cancer within nine months. Bunning later apologized.

Ginsburg underwent surgery Feb. 5, when doctors removed a small malignant lesion from her pancreas, proving lymph nodes negative for cancer and finding no metastasis.

Her second day back included attending U.S. President Barack Obama's speech to a joint session of Congress Feb. 24.

Ginsburg, appointed by U.S. President Bill Clinton in 1993, indicated she hasn't backed away from her oft-stated goal of matching the tenure of Justice Louis Brandeis, who served from 1916-39, the newspaper reported Friday. She joined the court at age 60, about the same age as Brandeis when he was named to the bench. He served until he was 82. Ginsburg is 75.

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