MIDDLE EAST: Israel Prime Miniter Ehud Olmert says has early prostate cancer

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says doctors have found a microscopic cancerous growth in his prostate but that only minor surgery is needed to treat it and so he will continue to run the country. His doctors say his condition is treatable and curable. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Monday (October 29) he has prostate cancer that needs minor surgery in the coming months but insisted he was fit to stay in office as he works toward peace talks with the Palestinians. The 62-year-old premier told a hastily convened televised news conference that doctors discovered a "microscopic" growth in his prostate gland during an annual check-up last week. "From what my doctors have told me, this is a microscopic growth that has not metastasized, that can be removed with a brief surgical intervention," said Olmert, a keen runner and fitness fanatic who looked calm and relaxed during his brief announcement. "The medical opinion is that there will be no need for radiation or for chemotherapy." He said the cancer would not affect his ability to run the country. "My doctors told me that the chances of my recovery are 100 percent and the growth does not endanger my life and will not affect my functioning or my fitness to carry out the task assigned me. I therefore intend to continue in my work and to devote my entire being to running the country," he said. A medical expert appearing alongside the prime minister said survival rates for the type of growth involved were extremely high and the operation would require only local anaesthetic. "This is a malignant tumour with a benign behaviour, meaning it was detected in a very early state. There is no evidence for any metastasize. It is treatable and curable," said Dr Shlomo Segev. Olmert went straight on to meetings with European Union External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner at his office in Jerusalem to discuss the progress in Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations -- a show that he intends to go on as usual, When his predecessor Ariel Sharon was felled by a stroke early last year, there was criticism of the way Sharon had kept previous health problems a secret from voters. Lawmakers in the Knesset said they welcomed his decision to be public over his health. "I think it sets an example for public figures who expose such events, such health problems, the sooner the better, in real time. We wish him the best of luck and we want him to be as healthy as he can as soon as possible," said Tzahi Hanegbi, a member of Olmert's Kadima party. Olmert said he will be fit and fully up to his duties before the procedure, which his personal doctors said is planned to take place in the coming months. A urology expert from the Rabin Medical Centre in the Israeli city of Petah Tikva said Olmert might not be able to function as a prime minister around the time of the operation. "Probably from the day before the operation he is going to be quite excited and during the operation and a few days afterwards he will probably have to relieve himself from his jobs," said Professor Jack Baniel, head of Urology Department at the Beilinson Campus of the Rabin Medical Centre. A medical expert appearing alongside the prime minister said survival rates for the type of growth involved were extremely high. Olmert, who has clung to office in the face of massive criticism of his conduct of last year's war in Lebanon and repeated allegations of corruption, is now engaged in U.S.-backed talks with Abbas. It is unclear whether the illness will have an affect on the talks.

ITN Source | October 29, 2007

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