Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin diagnosed with prostate cancer

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Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent a prostatectomy late last month, Fox News has learned.

Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Dec. 22, 2023, and underwent a minimally invasive surgical procedure called a prostatectomy to treat and cure prostate cancer.

Austin was then admitted to Walter Reed on Jan. 1, 2024, due to a urinary tract infection after the procedure, including nausea with severe abdominal, hip and leg pain. He was reportedly hospitalized for days without notifying the White House, leading to many questions and prompting the White House to begin a review of Cabinet protocols for delegating authority.

WHITE HOUSE LAUNCHING REVIEW OF CABINET PROTOCOLS AFTER DEFENSE SECRETARY'S SECRET HOSPITALIZATION: MEMO

Per Walter Reed, Austin recovered uneventfully from his surgery and he was returned the following morning. His prostate cancer was detected early and the prognosis is "excellent," the hospital said.

The scandal triggered the White House to do a Cabinet-wide review of protocols for delegating authority in the administration.

Additionally, Fox News' Chad Pergram reported that Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks remained unaware of the medical procedure until as recently as today.

House majority whip Tom Emmer told Fox News Digital that our "foreign adversaries are