Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has started preventive radiation treatment after being diagnosed with early-stage skin cancer, doctors treating the 80-year-old leftist leader and his office said on Monday.
Lula had a basal cell lesion removed on April 24.
"It was decided to proceed with complementary treatment with preventive, superficial radiotherapy on the scalp," doctors at the Sirio-Libanes Hospital said in a medical note, adding that Lula will maintain his daily activities without restrictions.
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Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
(Photo: Ricardo Stuckert / Brazilian presidency / AFP)
A spokesperson for Brazil's presidency told Reuters the "small" lesion was diagnosed as early-stage cancer and Lula would undergo 15 radiotherapy sessions to prevent further lesions.
Lula is expected to run for a fourth non-consecutive term in October and currently leads right-wing challenger Flavio Bolsonaro in several opinion polls for a potential second-round runoff.
He is Brazil's oldest sitting president and has had some health scares, including emergency surgeries in 2024 to treat and prevent bleeding in his head. Lula was treated for throat cancer in 2011.
Lula has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, even comparing its actions to the Nazis. In response, Israel declared the Brazilian president a persona non grata.