Benjamin Netanyahu Says He Received Treatment for Early-Stage Prostate Cancer

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he received treatment for early-stage prostate cancer and that the problem was removed, after a small tumour was discovered during routine medical monitoring.

Netanyahu published the information on Friday in his annual medical report and posted on social media to explain that doctors discovered and treated the tumour during a medical checkup, with the disclosure delayed until after the peak of the war with Iran.

ABC

In his account, he requested to delay publication of his health record by two months so it would not be released “at the height of the war” against Iran, to prevent “more false propaganda against Israel.”

Multiple outlets reported that Netanyahu said he underwent surgery for an enlarged benign prostate in 2024 and that a “tiny spot of less than a centimetre” was discovered during the most recent check up.

BBC reported Netanyahu said he is “in excellent physical condition” and that treatment “removed the problem and left no trace of it,” while CNN said Netanyahu described the malignant tumour as “less than a centimeter.”

Al Jazeera added that the information was published in Netanyahu’s annual medical report and that the details were not announced at the time of discovery.

Netanyahu’s disclosure tied the cancer diagnosis to findings from routine monitoring after earlier prostate surgery, and several outlets described the tumour as very small and early-stage.

BBC said Netanyahu described “a malignant tumour removed” and that doctors found an early-stage malignant tumour during routine medical monitoring following successful surgery for an enlarged benign prostate.

Al Jazeera

CNN reported that Netanyahu’s Prime Minister’s Office released two letters from his doctors, including one that said the diagnosis was “an early detection of a very small lesions, with no metastases, as all other tests confirmed beyond any doubt.”

CNN also said Netanyahu did not reveal when the last check was, but an Israeli source familiar with the matter told CNN that the cancer was diagnosed several months ago.

CNN further reported that Netanyahu began undergoing radiation therapy about two and a half months ago and had recently completed the treatment, while Netanyahu said the “spot disappeared completely.”

Al Jazeera said the medical report otherwise described the prime minister as in good health and that he was treated with radiation therapy for early-stage prostate cancer, without specifying when treatment occurred.

Netanyahu framed the decision to delay publication and to pursue treatment as a matter of timing, risk management, and the information he said he received.

BBC reported that Netanyahu said he requested to delay publication of his health record so it was not released at the height of the US and Israel’s war with Iran, to prevent Tehran from spreading “even more false propaganda against Israel.”

In the same account, Netanyahu said he chose to undergo treatment because “when I'm given information in time about a potential danger, I want to address it immediately,” and he added: “This is true on the national level and also on the personal level.”

CNN similarly reported Netanyahu’s statements that “Thank God, I am healthy” and “I had a minor medical issue with my prostate that was completely treated.”

Politico reported Netanyahu said he made a complete recovery and quoted his rationale for delaying publication to prevent “more false propaganda.”

The Hill reported Netanyahu said the malignant tumor was at a very early stage and had not spread, and it quoted his explanation for delaying the report to prevent “false propaganda” from Iran.

The cancer disclosure arrived against a backdrop of ongoing conflict and speculation about Netanyahu’s health, with outlets describing how the timing of the announcement intersected with the war with Iran.

Al Jazeera said Netanyahu was the subject of speculation about his health during the early weeks of the US-Israel attacks on Iran, as fake, AI-generated images circulated suggesting he had died, including on Iranian state media.

Al-Monitor

Al Jazeera reported Netanyahu recorded a video of himself visiting a Jerusalem cafe in March to refute the claims.

People reported that Netanyahu revealed he was in treatment for “very early stage” prostate cancer while leading Israel in a war against Iran and an invasion of Lebanon, and it said he delayed publication by two months to avoid it being used against Israel.

Politico and The Hill both tied the revelation to the U.S. and Israel’s ceasefire and military operations against Iran, with The Hill adding that Israelis will go to the polls in October.

The Hill reported an April 11 survey by the Hebrew University found only 10 percent of Israelis viewed the war against Iran as successful and that Netanyahu’s approval had dropped to 34 percent.

While the core claim—that Netanyahu had early-stage prostate cancer treated successfully—was consistent across outlets, reporting varied in the details of timing and measurements, and those differences shaped how each story read.

BBC described a “tiny spot of less than a centimetre” and said Netanyahu’s treatment “removed the problem and left no trace of it,” while CNN said doctors discovered a malignant tumor in his prostate of “less than a centimeter.”

BBC

Jewish Telegraphic Agency added a specific measurement, saying Popovtzer said the routine medical examination uncovered “a 0.35-inch, early stage adenocarcinoma,” and it said Popovtzer said the cancer had “disappeared.”

Al Jazeera said the medical report did not specify when the treatment occurred and said Netanyahu was treated with radiation therapy for early-stage prostate cancer, while CNN said Netanyahu had recently completed the treatment.

Politico reported Netanyahu announced on social media Friday that he had made a complete recovery and that doctors discovered a malignant tumor “of less than a centimeter,” and it also tied the revelation to the U.S. and Israel’s shaky ceasefire.

The Hill reported Netanyahu said targeted treatment required “a few short follow-up treatments,” and it quoted Netanyahu’s explanation that the condition is “very common among men my age,” with two options to monitor closely or undergo treatment.