US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin is being treated for prostate cancer

BY A STAFF REPORTER: US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.

On Tuesday, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center said he had suffered complications that led to him being taken to a New Year's Day hospital, where he remains untreated.

The hospital statement said the cancer was diagnosed in early December and the defence secretary completed a "minimally invasive surgical procedure" called a prostatectomy to treat the cancer on December 22. He was placed under general anesthesia during this procedure. Secretary Austin recovered from his surgery and returned home the next morning. Her prostate cancer was detected at an early stage and her prognosis is excellent.