Doctors at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center released a statement on Tuesday revealing that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was treated last month for prostate cancer.
The hospital also confirmed Austin was hospitalized at the start of the month for a urinary tract infection.
“As part of Secretary Austin’s routinely recommended health screening, he has undergone regular prostate specific antigen (PSA) surveillance,” the doctors said in a statement. “Changes in his laboratory evaluation in early December 2023 identified prostate cancer which required treatment.”
Austin was reportedly admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on December 22, 2023 and “underwent a minimally invasive surgical procedure called a prostatectomy to treat and cure prostate cancer.”
“On January 1st, 2024, Secretary Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center with complications from the December 22 procedure, including nausea with severe abdominal, hip, and leg pain,” the doctors said. “Initial evaluation revealed a urinary tract infection. On January 2, the decision was made to transfer him to the ICU for close monitoring and a higher level of care.”
They later noted that his infection has cleared and they anticipate a full recovery.
“During this stay, Secretary Austin never lost consciousness and never underwent general anesthesia,” they said. “Prostate cancer is the most common cause of cancer among American men, and it impacts 1 in every 8 men – and 1 in every 6 African American men – during their lifetime. Despite the frequency of prostate cancer, discussions about screening, treatment, and support are often deeply personal and private ones.”
