<p>The United States Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has cancelled his trip to Brussels where he was supposed to participate in meetings with his counterparts from other NATO nations, a US official told Reuters&nbsp;on Monday (Feb 12). This comes after Austin was admitted to a critical care unit at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center due to an “emergent bladder issue” and transferred his duties to his deputy.</p>

<h2><strong>Austin cancels trip to Brussels</strong></h2>

<p>On Sunday, the 70-year-old was taken to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for “symptoms suggesting an emergent bladder issue,” said the Pentagon in a statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Unlike the previous hospitalisations that were kept secret, this time around, Deputy Secretary of Defence Kathleen Hicks, joint chiefs of staff, the White House and Congress had already been notified.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin hospitalised again with bladder issue</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-defense-secretary-lloyd-austin-hospitalised-again-with-bladder-issue-689326/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The Pentagon chief was set to depart for the meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels taking place on Thursday (Feb 15) and a separate meeting with allies a day prior to discuss the Ukraine war and how to continue supporting Kyiv in countering Russia’s invasion.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, Reuters citing a US official said that the meeting on Ukraine’s defence needs, known as the Ukraine contact group, would be held virtually.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Austin will be back on duty on Tuesday: Doctors</strong></h2>

<p>On Monday, Austin’s doctors, as per AFP said that the US defence secretary “underwent non-surgical procedures under general anaesthesia,” for bladder issues as he battles prostate cancer and a “prolonged hospital stay is not anticipated".</p>

<p>“We anticipate the Secretary will be able to resume his normal duties tomorrow,” said the doctors&nbsp;in a statement. They added his cancer prognosis remained excellent.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-the-secret-hospitalisation-of-us-defense-secretary-llyod-austin-678603">Explained | The secret hospitalisation of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin</a></strong></p>

<p>White House national security spokesman John Kirby, on Monday, said that President Joe Biden has no concerns about whether Austin can serve after his latest hospitalisation.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Austin’s secret hospitalisation</strong></h2>

<p>The US defence secretary vanished from the public eye in December and early January 2024, after a prostate cancer surgery and subsequent hospitalisation to deal with its complications.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, Austin, at the time, did not inform anyone including Biden, the White House, the Pentagon or even Congress, about his hospitalisation which sparked a political uproar, where Republicans accused him of dereliction of his duty as the defence secretary.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-defense-secretary-lloyd-austin-will-stay-in-job-says-white-house-678203">US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin hospitalised again, hands over charge to deputy</a></strong></p>

<p>Earlier this month, Austin issued an apology for failing to tell Biden and senior staff about his cancer diagnosis, adding that it was a “gut punch” that had shaken him. The US president said that he had confidence in his defence secretary despite what Biden called a lapse in judgement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Austin is scheduled to testify before Congress on February 29 about the secrecy surrounding his hospitalisation in December and January.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


The United States Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has cancelled his trip to Brussels where he was supposed to participate in meetings with his counterparts from other NATO nations, a US official told Reuters on Monday (Feb 12).

The United States Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has cancelled his trip to Brussels where he was supposed to participate in meetings with his counterparts from other NATO nations, a US official told Reuters on Monday (Feb 12). This comes after Austin was admitted to a critical care unit at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center due to an “emergent bladder issue” and transferred his duties to his deputy. Austin cancels trip to Brussels On Sunday, the 70-year-old was taken to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for “symptoms suggesting an emergent bladder issue,” said the Pentagon in a statement. Unlike the previous hospitalisations that were kept secret, this time around, Deputy Secretary of Defence Kathleen Hicks, joint chiefs of staff, the White House and Congress had already been notified. WATCH | US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin hospitalised again with bladder issue The Pentagon chief was set to depart for the meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels taking place on Thursday (Feb 15) and a separate meeting with allies a day prior to discuss the Ukraine war and how to continue supporting Kyiv in countering Russia’s invasion. However, Reuters citing a US official said that the meeting on Ukraine’s defence needs, known as the Ukraine contact group, would be held virtually. Austin will be back on duty on Tuesday: Doctors On Monday, Austin’s doctors, as per AFP said that the US defence secretary “underwent non-surgical procedures under general anaesthesia,” for bladder issues as he battles prostate cancer and a “prolonged hospital stay is not anticipated". “We anticipate the Secretary will be able to resume his normal duties tomorrow,” said the doctors in a statement. They added his cancer prognosis remained excellent. ALSO READ | Explained | The secret hospitalisation of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin White House national security spokesman John Kirby, on Monday, said that President Joe Biden has no concerns about whether Austin can serve after his latest hospitalisation. Austin’s secret hospitalisation The US defence secretary vanished from the public eye in December and early January 2024, after a prostate cancer surgery and subsequent hospitalisation to deal with its complications. However, Austin, at the time, did not inform anyone including Biden, the White House, the Pentagon or even Congress, about his hospitalisation which sparked a political uproar, where Republicans accused him of dereliction of his duty as the defence secretary. ALSO READ | US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin hospitalised again, hands over charge to deputy Earlier this month, Austin issued an apology for failing to tell Biden and senior staff about his cancer diagnosis, adding that it was a “gut punch” that had shaken him. The US president said that he had confidence in his defence secretary despite what Biden called a lapse in judgement. Austin is scheduled to testify before Congress on February 29 about the secrecy surrounding his hospitalisation in December and January. (With inputs from agencies)

US Defence Secretary Austin cancels travel for NATO meeting after hospitalisation; to resume duty from Tuesday

<p>United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Thursday (Feb 1) apologised for hiding his prostate cancer diagnosis and hospitalisation from President Joe Biden and the government stating that he did not handle the situation rightly.</p>

<p>"I want to be crystal clear. We did not handle this right and I did not handle this right. I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis. I should have also told my team and the American public and I take full responsibility," Austin said.</p>

<p>"I apologize to my teammates and to the American people," he added.</p>

<p>He then said that he had directly apologised to President Biden.</p>

<p>"I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis," he told journalists. "I have apologised directly to President Biden."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-defense-secretary-lloyd-austin-makes-first-appearance-since-secret-hospitalisation-682926">Also read: US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin returns to Pentagon a month after prostate cancer surgery</a></p>

<h2><strong>'Did not direct staff to conceal hospitalisation'</strong></h2>

<p>Austin claimed that he did not direct his "staff to conceal hospitalisation from anyone" further adding that he had not considered resigning. However, he admitted, "We did not get this right."</p>

<p>Elucidating his current health condition in his address, he said that he was still recovering and has limited use of one leg. He then said that he was using a golf cart to get around the Pentagon building.</p>

<p>"I'm recovering well, but as you can see, I'm still recovering. I'm still having some leg pain and doing physical therapy to get past it. I'm deeply grateful to my doctors and the nursing staff at Walter Reed, and I very much appreciate all the good wishes," the Pentagon chief said.</p>

<p>Earlier, on Jan 29, Austin made his very first appearance at the Pentagon a day after three US soldiers were killed in drone strikes at a military base in Jordan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to reports, he met the secretary general of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, and senior defence officials, including Gen. Charles Q. Brown, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.</p>

<h2><strong>Austin's secret hospitalisation</strong></h2>

<p>The 70-year-old underwent surgery on Dec 22 to treat prostate cancer and came back home the same day.</p>

<p>However, he was again hospitalised on Jan 1 for complications including nausea and severe pain and was discharged on Jan 15.</p>

<p>"The Secretary continues to recover well and, on the advice of doctors, will recuperate and perform his duties remotely for a period of time before returning full-time to the Pentagon," the statement said. "He has full access to required secure communications capabilities."</p>

<p>Austin had kept his cancer diagnosis and hospitalisation from President Biden and senior officials a secret until January.</p>

<p>His mishandling of the situation was a violation of the protocol for top-ranking cabinet officials, who reportedly have to inform well in advance of planned medical absences and identify the one who would be filling in for them.</p>

<p>He had earlier released a statement saying that he "could have done a better job" and took "full responsibility" for the secrecy over his hospitalisation.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Thursday (Feb 1) apologised for hiding his prostate cancer diagnosis and hospitalisation from President Joe Biden and the government stating that he did not handle the situation rightly.

United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Thursday (Feb 1) apologised for hiding his prostate cancer diagnosis and hospitalisation from President Joe Biden and the government stating that he did not handle the situation rightly. "I want to be crystal clear. We did not handle this right and I did not handle this right. I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis. I should have also told my team and the American public and I take full responsibility," Austin said. "I apologize to my teammates and to the American people," he added. He then said that he had directly apologised to President Biden. "I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis," he told journalists. "I have apologised directly to President Biden." Also read: US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin returns to Pentagon a month after prostate cancer surgery 'Did not direct staff to conceal hospitalisation' Austin claimed that he did not direct his "staff to conceal hospitalisation from anyone" further adding that he had not considered resigning. However, he admitted, "We did not get this right." Elucidating his current health condition in his address, he said that he was still recovering and has limited use of one leg. He then said that he was using a golf cart to get around the Pentagon building. "I'm recovering well, but as you can see, I'm still recovering. I'm still having some leg pain and doing physical therapy to get past it. I'm deeply grateful to my doctors and the nursing staff at Walter Reed, and I very much appreciate all the good wishes," the Pentagon chief said. Earlier, on Jan 29, Austin made his very first appearance at the Pentagon a day after three US soldiers were killed in drone strikes at a military base in Jordan. According to reports, he met the secretary general of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, and senior defence officials, including Gen. Charles Q. Brown, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Austin's secret hospitalisation The 70-year-old underwent surgery on Dec 22 to treat prostate cancer and came back home the same day. However, he was again hospitalised on Jan 1 for complications including nausea and severe pain and was discharged on Jan 15. "The Secretary continues to recover well and, on the advice of doctors, will recuperate and perform his duties remotely for a period of time before returning full-time to the Pentagon," the statement said. "He has full access to required secure communications capabilities." Austin had kept his cancer diagnosis and hospitalisation from President Biden and senior officials a secret until January. His mishandling of the situation was a violation of the protocol for top-ranking cabinet officials, who reportedly have to inform well in advance of planned medical absences and identify the one who would be filling in for them. He had earlier released a statement saying that he "could have done a better job" and took "full responsibility" for the secrecy over his hospitalisation. (With inputs from agencies)

US defense secretary Lloyd Austin apologises for secret hospitalisation: 'I did not handle this right'

<p>US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was discharged from the hospital on Monday (Jan 15), after a two-week stay for undisclosed complications following secret prostate cancer surgery.</p>

<p>"The Secretary continues to recover well and, on the advice of doctors, will recuperate and perform his duties remotely for a period of time before returning full-time to the Pentagon," the statement said. "He has full access to required secure communications capabilities."</p>

<p>The 70-year-old, who kept the cancer diagnosis and hospitalisation from President Biden and senior officials until January, will continue to work from home during his recovery.</p>

<p>President Biden acknowledged the lapse in communication but expressed confidence in Austin, who was initially admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Dec. 22 and underwent surgery after a routine screening detected the cancer earlier that month, as reported by Seattle Times.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-claims-it-shot-down-anti-ship-cruise-missile-from-houthi-area-of-yemen-targeting-uss-laboon-679991">Also read |&nbsp;US claims it shot down anti-ship cruise missile from Houthi area of Yemen targeting USS Laboon</a></p>

<p>Austin has shown positive progress during his time at the hospital, with his strength improving, according to Dr John Maddox, trauma medical director, and Dr&nbsp;Gregory Chesnut, director of the Center for Prostate Disease Research at Walter Reed's Murtha Cancer Center, who spoke to NPR.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"He underwent a series of medical tests and evaluations and received non-surgical care during his stay to address his medical needs, to include resolving some lingering leg pains," they said in the statement.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas | Is Biden frustrated with Netanyahu? | What's Israel post-war plan for Gaza?</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>Cancer diagnosis and complications</strong></h2>

<p>In December 2023, Austin received a prostate cancer diagnosis after a routine health check. He underwent a prostatectomy on Dec. 22, a procedure that involved the surgical removal of the prostate gland, unbeknownst to the White House. Austin recovered and returned home the next day. However, on Jan&nbsp;1, he was hospitalised at Walter Reed due to complications, including severe abdominal, hip, and leg pain, stemming from a urinary tract infection. The subsequent intensive care unit evaluation identified abdominal fluid collections affecting his small intestine function.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was discharged from the hospital on Monday (Jan 15), after a two-week stay for undisclosed complications following secret prostate cancer surgery.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was discharged from the hospital on Monday (Jan 15), after a two-week stay for undisclosed complications following secret prostate cancer surgery. "The Secretary continues to recover well and, on the advice of doctors, will recuperate and perform his duties remotely for a period of time before returning full-time to the Pentagon," the statement said. "He has full access to required secure communications capabilities." The 70-year-old, who kept the cancer diagnosis and hospitalisation from President Biden and senior officials until January, will continue to work from home during his recovery. President Biden acknowledged the lapse in communication but expressed confidence in Austin, who was initially admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Dec. 22 and underwent surgery after a routine screening detected the cancer earlier that month, as reported by Seattle Times. Also read | US claims it shot down anti-ship cruise missile from Houthi area of Yemen targeting USS Laboon Austin has shown positive progress during his time at the hospital, with his strength improving, according to Dr John Maddox, trauma medical director, and Dr Gregory Chesnut, director of the Center for Prostate Disease Research at Walter Reed's Murtha Cancer Center, who spoke to NPR. "He underwent a series of medical tests and evaluations and received non-surgical care during his stay to address his medical needs, to include resolving some lingering leg pains," they said in the statement. Also watch | Gravitas | Is Biden frustrated with Netanyahu? | What's Israel post-war plan for Gaza? Cancer diagnosis and complications In December 2023, Austin received a prostate cancer diagnosis after a routine health check. He underwent a prostatectomy on Dec. 22, a procedure that involved the surgical removal of the prostate gland, unbeknownst to the White House. Austin recovered and returned home the next day. However, on Jan 1, he was hospitalised at Walter Reed due to complications, including severe abdominal, hip, and leg pain, stemming from a urinary tract infection. The subsequent intensive care unit evaluation identified abdominal fluid collections affecting his small intestine function. (With inputs from agencies)

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin discharged after secret cancer surgery hospitalisation fiasco

The Pentagon's independent inspector general will investigate US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's recent medical treatment and failure to report his hospitalization to the rest of the government.

US: Pentagon to probe Defence Chief Lloyd Austin's hospitalisation

<p>US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin has courted controversy for hiding his medical condition from the White House amid the delicate geopolitical landscape involving the Russia-Ukraine war and Israel-Hamas war. There have been calls for his resignation from critics who say the senior government official violated the law by failing to report his hospitalisation to his bosses. The incident soon snowballed into a so-called transparency scandal.</p>

<h2><strong>What did Austin do?</strong></h2>

<p>Austin, 70, was hospitalised on New Year's Day (Jan 1) in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre&nbsp;due to complications from an elective medical procedure.</p>

<p>Surprisingly, the Pentagon did not make any official announcement until four days later while waiting to notify other top government officers about Austin's absence.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During the period, Austin was away from action, and some of his powers were transferred&nbsp;to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks.</p>

<p>However, even she was not informed that his boss had been hospitalised until two days later.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What did the doctors say?</strong></h2>

<p>Austin was attended to by a team of doctors who later released a medical bulletin informing about his medical history for the last month.</p>

<p>The doctors clarified that prior to the New Year's Day admission to ICU, Austin had undergone minor surgery on December 22 after early detection of prostate cancer in routine screening.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"As part of Secretary Austin's routinely recommended health screening, he has undergone regular prostate-specific antigen (PSA) surveillance. Changes in his laboratory evaluation in early December 2023 identified prostate cancer which required treatment," read the statement issued by&nbsp;Dr John Maddox, Trauma Medical Director, and Dr Gregory Chesnut, Center for Prostate Disease Research of the Murtha Cancer Center Director, at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"On December 22, 2023, after consultation with his medical team, he was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and underwent a minimally invasive surgical procedure called a prostatectomy to treat and cure prostate cancer," it added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After the procedure, Austin recovered without event and returned home the next morning. However, complications soon emerged and evaluation revealed that abdominal fluid collection was impairing the function of his small intestines.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"This resulted in the back up of his intestinal contents which was treated by placing a tube through his nose to drain his stomach. The abdominal fluid collections were drained by non-surgical drain placement."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-defence-secretary-lloyd-austin-admitted-to-intensive-care-for-complications-from-prostate-cancer-surgery-678419"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;US Defence Secy Lloyd Austin was admitted to ICU for complications from prostate cancer surgery</strong></a></p>

<h2 data-testid="paragraph-20"><strong>Was Austin ever unconscious?</strong></h2>

<p data-testid="paragraph-20">According to the Pentagon, Austin arrived at the hospital after booking an ambulance in a conscious state. He was later admitted to ICU where he underwent the aforementioned procedures.</p>

<p data-testid="paragraph-20">The Pentagon clarified that Austin was in a significant amount of pain but did not say if the painkiller medicines he had taken altered his judgment.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What should have Austin done?</strong></h2>

<p>Whatever medical condition a senior government official of the stature of Austin goes through, the protocol mandates that they inform the public of planned medical absences ahead of time.</p>

<p>Additionally, they should identify the associates who would be filling in for them.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Legally speaking, Austin may have violated internal&nbsp;US Department of Defense protocols.</p>

<p>According to legal experts, the law is largely procedural and does not spell out any penalties for lapses.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Being the secretary of defence, Austin is required to be available at a moment's notice to answer any national security crisis.</p>

<p>However, his absence put the country in danger - a mistake that could have been easily avoided.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-defense-secretary-lloyd-austins-secret-hospitalization-all-you-need-to-know-677912"><strong>Watch |&nbsp;US defense secretary Lloyd Austin's secret hospitalization: All you need to know</strong></a></p>

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<h2><strong>What did the White House say?</strong></h2>

<p>The White House on Monday (Jan 8) said that Austin would be continuing in his job, adding there was no plan for anything else.</p>

<p>Addressing a press conference on Air Force One, National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson John Kirby said,&nbsp;"There is no plan for anything other than for Secretary Austin to stay in the job."&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, the DoD was conducting a full review of the incident to determine how future lapses could be prevented.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-defense-secretary-lloyd-austin-will-stay-in-job-says-white-house-678203">Also read |&nbsp;US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will stay in job, says White House</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>Will&nbsp;Pentagon intervene?</strong></h2>

<p>"We are considering the impact of any statutory reporting requirements and will provide updates as appropriate,"&nbsp;Chief Pentagon spokesperson Air Force Major General Patrick Ryder told reporters.</p>

<p data-testid="paragraph-20">Ryder further said the reporting requirements being examined would not just involve Congress. "It's to Congress, the White House or anyone else," he said.</p>

<h2><strong>What is prostate cancer?</strong></h2>

<p>Prostate cancer is the most common cause of cancer among American men, and impacts 1 in every 8 men - and 1 in every 6 African-American men - during their lifetime.</p>

<p>Despite the frequency of prostate cancer, discussions about screening, treatment, and support are often deeply personal and private ones. Early screening is important for detection and treatment of prostate cancer and people should talk to their doctors to see what screening is appropriate for them.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin has courted controversy for hiding his medical condition from the White House amid the delicate geopolitical landscape involving the Russia-Ukraine war and Israel-Hamas war.

US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin has courted controversy for hiding his medical condition from the White House amid the delicate geopolitical landscape involving the Russia-Ukraine war and Israel-Hamas war. There have been calls for his resignation from critics who say the senior government official violated the law by failing to report his hospitalisation to his bosses. The incident soon snowballed into a so-called transparency scandal. What did Austin do? Austin, 70, was hospitalised on New Year's Day (Jan 1) in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre due to complications from an elective medical procedure. Surprisingly, the Pentagon did not make any official announcement until four days later while waiting to notify other top government officers about Austin's absence. During the period, Austin was away from action, and some of his powers were transferred to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks. However, even she was not informed that his boss had been hospitalised until two days later. What did the doctors say? Austin was attended to by a team of doctors who later released a medical bulletin informing about his medical history for the last month. The doctors clarified that prior to the New Year's Day admission to ICU, Austin had undergone minor surgery on December 22 after early detection of prostate cancer in routine screening. "As part of Secretary Austin's routinely recommended health screening, he has undergone regular prostate-specific antigen (PSA) surveillance. Changes in his laboratory evaluation in early December 2023 identified prostate cancer which required treatment," read the statement issued by Dr John Maddox, Trauma Medical Director, and Dr Gregory Chesnut, Center for Prostate Disease Research of the Murtha Cancer Center Director, at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. "On December 22, 2023, after consultation with his medical team, he was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and underwent a minimally invasive surgical procedure called a prostatectomy to treat and cure prostate cancer," it added. After the procedure, Austin recovered without event and returned home the next morning. However, complications soon emerged and evaluation revealed that abdominal fluid collection was impairing the function of his small intestines. "This resulted in the back up of his intestinal contents which was treated by placing a tube through his nose to drain his stomach. The abdominal fluid collections were drained by non-surgical drain placement." Also read | US Defence Secy Lloyd Austin was admitted to ICU for complications from prostate cancer surgery Was Austin ever unconscious? According to the Pentagon, Austin arrived at the hospital after booking an ambulance in a conscious state. He was later admitted to ICU where he underwent the aforementioned procedures. The Pentagon clarified that Austin was in a significant amount of pain but did not say if the painkiller medicines he had taken altered his judgment. What should have Austin done? Whatever medical condition a senior government official of the stature of Austin goes through, the protocol mandates that they inform the public of planned medical absences ahead of time. Additionally, they should identify the associates who would be filling in for them. Legally speaking, Austin may have violated internal US Department of Defense protocols. According to legal experts, the law is largely procedural and does not spell out any penalties for lapses. Being the secretary of defence, Austin is required to be available at a moment's notice to answer any national security crisis. However, his absence put the country in danger - a mistake that could have been easily avoided. Watch | US defense secretary Lloyd Austin's secret hospitalization: All you need to know × What did the White House say? The White House on Monday (Jan 8) said that Austin would be continuing in his job, adding there was no plan for anything else. Addressing a press conference on Air Force One, National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson John Kirby said, "There is no plan for anything other than for Secretary Austin to stay in the job." However, the DoD was conducting a full review of the incident to determine how future lapses could be prevented. Also read | US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will stay in job, says White House Will Pentagon intervene? "We are considering the impact of any statutory reporting requirements and will provide updates as appropriate," Chief Pentagon spokesperson Air Force Major General Patrick Ryder told reporters. Ryder further said the reporting requirements being examined would not just involve Congress. "It's to Congress, the White House or anyone else," he said. What is prostate cancer? Prostate cancer is the most common cause of cancer among American men, and impacts 1 in every 8 men - and 1 in every 6 African-American men - during their lifetime. Despite the frequency of prostate cancer, discussions about screening, treatment, and support are often deeply personal and private ones. Early screening is important for detection and treatment of prostate cancer and people should talk to their doctors to see what screening is appropriate for them. (With inputs from agencies)

Explained | The secret hospitalisation of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin

US President Joe Biden was kept in the dark over his Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's cancer diagnosis and subsequent hospitalizations for about a month, the White House admitted Tuesday.

Why was US President Biden kept in dark over Pentagon Chief Austin's cancer for month?

US: President Joe Biden kept in dark over Defence Chief Austin's cancer for month