Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has begun preventative radiation therapy after being diagnosed with an early stage of skin cancer. The announcement was made on Monday by his office and medical team.
The 80-year-old leader previously underwent a procedure on April 24 to remove a basal cell lesion from his scalp. According to a medical statement from the Sírio-Libanês Hospital, doctors decided to follow up the surgery with superficial, preventative radiotherapy on his scalp. A presidential spokesperson clarified that the small lesion was identified as early-stage cancer and noted that Lula will undergo a total of 15 radiation sessions to prevent any future growths.
Medical officials emphasized that the treatment will not interfere with the president’s schedule, and he is expected to carry out his daily duties without any restrictions.
This health update comes as Lula prepares for the upcoming October presidential election, where he is campaigning for a fourth, non-consecutive term. Current opinion polls place him ahead of his right-wing opponent, Flávio Bolsonaro, in a projected second-round runoff.
Lula, who is the oldest serving president in Brazil’s history, has overcome previous health challenges. He successfully underwent treatment for throat cancer in 2011 and required emergency surgeries in 2024 to address and prevent bleeding in his head.