Benjamin Netanyahu Reveals Treatment for Early-Stage Prostate Cancer

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Friday that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent successful treatment, marking a significant health update for the 76-year-old leader amid ongoing regional conflicts.

According to multiple reports, Netanyahu disclosed that doctors found a small tumor during routine follow-up scans after surgery for benign prostate enlargement in December 2024. The cancer was identified as prostate adenocarcinoma, the most common form of the disease, measuring approximately 0.9 centimeters with no signs of metastasis.

Netanyahu underwent targeted radiation therapy at Jerusalem’s Hadassah Hospital, following a prostate surgery conducted approximately 18 months prior. Aron Popovtzer, director of Hadassah Hospital’s oncology unit, confirmed that the early-stage disease had “disappeared” after treatment, with tests showing no detectable cancer remaining.

The Prime Minister characterized the tumor as a “minor medical issue” and explained that he delayed public disclosure due to Israel’s ongoing military operations against Iran. This comes less than three years after Netanyahu revealed he had received a pacemaker for chronic heart problems.

Netanyahu is not alone among world leaders facing prostate cancer diagnoses; former U.S. President Joe Biden was diagnosed with the condition in 2025. Medical experts emphasize that prostate cancer often progresses slowly, and for individuals of normal risk, screening typically begins at age 55 through prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests and digital rectal exams, generally continuing until age 70.

The successful treatment underscores the importance of early detection through routine medical monitoring, particularly for men over 70, where such cancers are frequently identified incidentally during follow-up care for other conditions.