Aug. 31 (Bloomberg) -- White House Press Secretary Tony Snow, who is battling cancer, announced his resignation today, 16 months before the end of the Bush presidency. He'll be replaced by deputy press secretary Dana Perino.

``I sadly accept his desire to leave the White House,'' President George W. Bush told reporters today. ``He'll battle cancer and win.''

Snow, 52, two weeks ago finished chemotherapy treatments to fight a recurrence of colon cancer. He cited financial reasons for his departure and said his health is good. Snow is paid $168,000, much less than he made in his previous job as a television commentator. Married with three children, he said he took out a loan to work at the White House and the money has run out.

Snow, whose resignation will take effect Sept. 14, said he will speak out on issues he cares about, do some political writing and work on book proposals that center on how to deal with sickness. He also said he would work to help people who might not have the resources they need to fight disease and may try to raise money for such causes.

``I will stay involved in politics,'' he said. ``I will be going around the country and talking about things I care about.'' Snow said tests showed that his tumors haven't grown and new ones haven't developed.

Job Was a `Blast'

``This job has really been a dream for me and a blast,'' he said.

Snow is the most recent of Bush's top aides to leave before the president's term ends. Political strategist Karl Rove announced Aug. 13 he was leaving by the end of August, and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales announced his departure on Aug. 27.

Perino, 35, filled in for Snow earlier this year after he had cancer surgery.

``Dana is a smart, capable person who is able to spell out the issues of the day in a way people listening on TV can understand,'' Bush said.

Snow was a television commentator for News Corp.'s Fox News before becoming Bush's chief spokesman in April 2006.

Several other top White House advisers have left since Democrats won control of Congress in November, including counselor Dan Bartlett, chief White House attorney Harriet Miers, budget chief Rob Portman, political director Sara Taylor, deputy national security adviser J.D. Crouch and Meghan O'Sullivan, a deputy national security adviser who worked on Iraq.

To contact the reporter on this story: Roger Runningen in Washington, at rrunningen@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: August 31, 2007 13:58 EDT