Brazil's President Lula diagnosed with early-stage skin cancer

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, 80, has been diagnosed with early-stage skin cancer, his office confirmed Monday, according to Reuters.

A small basal cell carcinoma was removed from the president on April 24. He will now begin preventive radiotherapy. Doctors stated that the treatment, described as superficial radiotherapy on the scalp, will not impact his daily life.

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer, and its prognosis is generally good due to ease of treatment and lack of metastasis. This is not the first health issue for the left-wing leader; he underwent two surgeries for a brain hemorrhage in late 2024 and received treatment for throat cancer in 2011.

Lula, who served as president from 2003-2010 and again since 2023, is aiming for a fourth term in the October elections. His main opponent is expected to be Flávio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro and the leading candidate for Brazil's right-wing.