Austin, a 70-year-old career soldier, initially had minor surgery to treat cancer on Dec. 22.
Washington:
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is likely to make a “full recovery” from prostate cancer and his prognosis is “excellent,” said two doctors who saw him at Walter Reed Hospital for a follow-up appointment.
Austin controversially kept US President Joe Biden in the dark about his cancer diagnosis for weeks, and did not inform the commander-in-chief or Congress until days after he was hospitalized on January 1 due to complications from his treatment. did not do.
“Secretary Austin was seen today at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for a scheduled monitoring appointment following a prostatectomy,” doctors said in a statement released by the Pentagon.
He said, “His health continues to improve and he is expected to make a full recovery. Secretary Austin’s prostate cancer was treated quickly and effectively, and his prognosis is excellent.”
Austin, a 70-year-old career soldier, initially underwent minor surgery to treat cancer on December 22, returning home the next day.
But on January 1, he was readmitted due to complications including nausea and severe pain.
The White House was not informed of Austin’s hospitalization until January 4, while Congress was not told until the next day, and Biden did not learn of the cancer diagnosis until January 9.
Austin was released from Walter Reed last week, and on Tuesday he appeared in public for the first time since being hospitalized, speaking via videolink from his residence at the opening of a meeting on aid for Ukraine. of.
Republican lawmakers have called for Austin to be fired, but Biden has expressed regret over Austin’s lapse in judgment, saying he has full confidence in his defense secretary.
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