US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin treated for prostate cancer

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is being treated for prostate cancer and suffered complications that led to him being taken to hospital on New Year’s Day where he is still being treated, according to a statement Tuesday from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, CNN reported.

The statement revealed that the cancer was discovered in early December. He underwent a “minimally invasive surgical procedure” on December 22 called a prostatectomy to treat the cancer.

“He was under general anesthesia during this procedure. Secretary Austin recovered uneventfully from his surgery and returned home the next morning. His prostate cancer was detected early, and his prognosis is excellent,” the statement read.

The Pentagon had been facing intense questions after it was revealed last Friday that Austin had been admitted to Walter Reed on January 1 and had been hospitalized for days without notifying the public.