Acute bladder problem
US Secretary of Defense Austin back in the hospital
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin initially kept prostate cancer a secret. photo
© Kevin Wolf/FR33460 AP/dpa
Just a few weeks ago, Austin returned to the Pentagon after a lengthy absence due to illness. Now the US Secretary of Defense has been taken to a clinic again.
“At present, the minister retains the functions and duties of his office,” the statement said. However, his deputy Kathleen H. Hicks is prepared to take over the functions and duties of the Secretary of Defense in case of doubt. Austin has the necessary communication tools with him to carry out his duties from the hospital. We will inform you about his condition as soon as possible.
Austin only returned to work at the Pentagon at the end of January after a lengthy period of illness. At the beginning of the year he came under heavy criticism for keeping a secret about prostate cancer and a hospital stay following complications from a procedure. Even US President Joe Biden didn’t know for several days that his minister was in the hospital – but later confirmed that he wanted to stick with him. Austin was released from the hospital on January 15th and initially did not work from the Pentagon.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men in the United States after nonmelanoma skin cancer. In the early stages, the chances of recovery are generally good. The prostate (prostate gland) is an organ the size of a walnut that surrounds the base of the urethra in men.