Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed on Friday that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. He said he underwent treatment for it quietly and did not make the illness public for nearly two months, disclosing it only after completing treatment. The 76-year-old said this was the first time he had been diagnosed with cancer. He also noted that he deliberately delayed releasing his medical report this year to prevent Iran from using it as propaganda against Israel during the war. He shared this information in a social media post. According to Netanyahu, he underwent surgery in December 2024 due to an enlarged prostate. Following this, he continued with regular check-ups. In a recent examination, doctors detected a tumour smaller than one centimetre in the prostate. It was an early-stage malignant cancer and had not spread to other parts of the body. Tumour detected, treatment done immediately Benjamin Netanyahu said that doctors had given him two options — either keep the tumour under observation or remove it through treatment. He chose immediate treatment. He said, “When I am made aware of a risk in time, I act without delay.” He added that he continued working during the treatment. “I held a few short sessions, read a book and kept working. This is now behind me,” he said. He thanked his medical team and urged people to undergo timely check-ups and follow doctors’ advice. He also specifically appealed to people in Iran to take care of their health. Netanyahu had undergone prostate surgery earlier Netanyahu had undergone prostate surgery in December 2024 at the Hadassah Medical Center. Doctors had then described the operation as successful and said there was no immediate cancer risk at that time. According to Dr Ofer Gofrit, head of the urology department, the prostate was removed during the surgery and the procedure was successful. Netanyahu has also dealt with health issues in the past. During a court hearing, he had said that he works around 18 hours a day. What is prostate cancer? Around 1.4 million people worldwide are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, it is among the most common cancers in men after lung and oral cancers. The disease is usually seen in men above the age of 50, though younger men can also be affected in some cases. In many cases, it is detected late. By then, the cancer may have spread to organs such as the bladder, liver, lungs and abdomen. Through the bloodstream, it can also reach the bones, causing severe pain and weakening them, sometimes leading to fractures. The disease can affect a man’s sex life and fertility. Not just the disease, but its treatment can also have side effects. For instance, hormone therapy may reduce or stop testosterone production, leading to erectile issues. Radiation therapy can also impact fertility. In severe cases, the prostate gland may need to be removed to save the patient’s life. In younger patients, doctors often advise sperm freezing before surgery so they can have children later through IVF. Former US President Biden also had prostate cancer Joe Biden has also been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The illness, which came to light in May 2025, had already spread in his body and reached the bones. The 82-year-old Biden had consulted a doctor after experiencing difficulty in urination. Subsequent tests confirmed that he had prostate cancer. According to his office, the cancer had spread to his bones, making the condition serious. What causes prostate cancer? The exact cause of prostate cancer is not fully understood. However, factors such as age, genetics, hormonal imbalance, poor diet, lifestyle and environmental influences can contribute to its development. These factors, combined, can increase the risk of prostate cancer.
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