US Defense Secretary apologizes for concealing prostate cancer diagnosis

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin apologizes for not disclosing his prostate cancer diagnosis and hospitalization earlier

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin offered an apology on Thursday to the POTUS, the government, and the American people by being public about his prostate cancer diagnosis and hospitalization which he failed to disclose.

In the process of recovery and with leg pain, Austin disclosed that he rode in a golf cart for transportation in the Pentagon before heading to a solo press conference. He was criticized by Republicans for his secretive unavailability in a time of high Middle East tensions.

On Dec. 22, Austin, aged 70 years, had a minor prostate cancer surgery which led to hospitalization overnight. Nausea and intense pain necessitated a second hospitalization on Jan. 1. The White House was notified on Jan. 4, Congress the next day and President Biden on Jan. 9.

The controversy notwithstanding, Austin said he has never thought of resigning and has President Biden’s backing. He kept on apologizing, explaining the nondisclosure as his ‘private’ instincts after the shock of cancer diagnosis. Austin confessed that they should have informed the president about his cancer diagnosis during the press conference.

Source: AFP