\n<\/p>\n
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin apologized for not correctly handling the situation surrounding his hospitalization.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to be crystal clear: we did not handle this right. I did not handle this right,\u201d Austin said during a press conference. \u201cI should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis. I should\u2019ve also told my team and the American public, and I take full responsibility. I apologize to my teammates and to the American people.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to make it very clear that there were no gaps in authorities, and no risk to the department\u2019s command and control. At every moment, either I or the deputy secretary was in full charge,\u201d he continued. <\/p>\n
Austin explained that since the incident, the department has created new procedures to ensure \u201clapses in notification don\u2019t happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n.@SecDef<\/a> Austin on his recent cancer diagnosis and transparency: “We did not handle this right. I did not handle this right. I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis, and I should have also told my team and the American public. I take full responsibility.” pic.twitter.com\/rt3WjjjJdl<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 CSPAN (@cspan) February 1, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Doctors at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center released<\/a> a statement last month revealing that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was treated for prostate cancer.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs part of Secretary Austin\u2019s routinely recommended health screening, he has undergone regular prostate specific antigen (PSA) surveillance,\u201d the doctors said<\/a>. \u201cChanges in his laboratory evaluation in early December 2023 identified prostate cancer which required treatment.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOn 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,\u201d they added. \u201cInitial 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring this stay, Secretary Austin never lost consciousness and never underwent general anesthesia,\u201d they said. \u201cProstate cancer is the most common cause of cancer among American men, and it impacts 1 in every 8 men \u2013 and 1 in every 6 African American men \u2013 during their lifetime. Despite the frequency of prostate cancer, discussions about screening, treatment, and support are often deeply personal and private ones.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n