Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, with complications leading to his hospitalization at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on New Year’s Day.
The revelation has raised questions about transparency within the administration, as the diagnosis and subsequent hospitalization were kept confidential not only from the public but also from President Joe Biden and other senior figures.
Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
The statement from Walter Reed disclosed that Austin’s prostate cancer was discovered in early December. He underwent a minimally invasive surgical procedure called a prostatectomy on December 22 to treat the cancer successfully.
Despite complications, the statement assured that Lloyd Austin recovered uneventfully from the surgery, and his prognosis is excellent.
On January 1, Austin was readmitted to the hospital due to complications, including severe abdominal, hip, and leg pain, along with nausea. A urinary tract infection was identified as the cause of these complications.
The Pentagon faced scrutiny for not notifying the public promptly, and it was revealed that even President Biden was unaware of Austin’s hospitalization until three days after the admission.
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Lloyd Austin Health Secrecy Sparks Concerns About Administration Transparency
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby clarified that Biden learned of Austin’s diagnosis only on Tuesday morning, hours before it was publicly disclosed. The secrecy surrounding Lloyd Austin’s health raised concerns about transparency and communication within the administration.
Despite the lack of timely information, Kirby emphasized that Biden maintains “complete confidence” in Austin and intends to keep him in his position.
Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder explained that the decision to keep Austin’s diagnosis confidential, even from President Biden, was due to the deeply personal nature of prostate cancer and its associated procedures. Ryder acknowledged that the situation was not ideal, but he emphasized the importance of transparency moving forward.
Austin, actively engaged in his duties, spent the last eight days of his hospitalization for the urinary tract infection without losing consciousness or undergoing general anesthesia.
The Pentagon did not provide information on whether the secretary’s chief of staff, identified as the person who failed to notify officials of Austin’s hospitalization, was aware of the cancer diagnosis.
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