Brazil's ex-president Lula starts chemotherapy

RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrived at a hospital in Sao Paulo Monday morning for his first chemotherapy session to treat his laryngeal cancer.

File photo taken on Sept. 16, 2011 shows Brazil's former President Lula during a political
reform meeting in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Brazil's former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer, his physicians said Saturday. (Xinhua File Photo)

Lula was diagnosed with cancer Saturday, and his doctors decided to start treatment right away. The former leader chose not to undergo surgery but instead go through a series of chemotherapy and radiotherapy sessions in the next four months.

In an interview with local TV Sunday evening, Lula's doctor Roberto Kalil Filho said the former president's survival chances are about 80 percent.

Lula had been a longtime smoker, but quit recently. According to Brazil's National Cancer Institute (INCA), smoking increases tenfold the risk of laryngeal cancer, which affects men more often than women.

Also, Lula has a family history of cancer, and his mother died of cervical cancer years ago. A sister died of lung cancer in June. One of Lula's brothers also had laryngeal cancer, but was cured after treatment.

Since the diagnosis, the former president has received messages of support from local politicians and foreign leaders.

Editor:Wang Xiaomei |Source: Xinhua



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