Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has recently received a diagnosis of an early form of skin cancer. This development follows only days after he received an unprecedented sentence of more than 27 years in prison for participating in a domestic coup d’état. The diagnosis came after many tests were taken after the patient started having symptoms including vomiting, dizziness, and hypotension.
On September 11, Bolsonaro was still outside of his official residence in Brasilia when he started to feel sick. As such, he was sent to the hospital for additional work up. Her tests confirmed the existence of squamous cell carcinoma. This type of skin cancer starts in the dermis and epidermis, the middle and outer layers of the skin. Thankfully, doctors were able to stage his cancer as “in situ.” This indicates the atypical cells have not moved beyond where they first developed.
Bolsonaro’s doctor, Claudio Biroloni, discussed the diagnosis in an interview, revealing the type of cancer Bolsonaro faced.
“Two of the lesions tested positive for squamous cell carcinoma, which is neither the kindest nor the most aggressive, but it is still a skin cancer,” – Claudio Biroloni, according to CNN Brasil.
Bolsonaro had skin lesions removed in a procedure on Sunday and was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday. He is now on strict monitoring by his medical team to ensure he continues progressing in recovery and health management.
At 70 years old, his health has been a big issue for the public. This concern grew after his recent sentence for the attempted coup, which featured an even more disturbing plan, involving actions to possibly execute president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. That small sentence has gotten a great deal of attention from across the globe. It represents a stunning and abrupt end of an era for the frequently despised former head.
After his diagnosis, his eldest son, senator Flávio Bolsonaro, tweeted that he had spoken to his father by telephone and the president was in good spirits.
“My father has already fought tougher battles and won. This one won’t be any different,” – Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro.
Here’s where it gets interesting—Jair Bolsonaro is battling some serious health issues. The next several weeks will determine both his medical recovery and the shape of his political legacy. In both spheres, the public is keenly observing everything that’s happening. He is still dominating the headlines across Brazil and the world.
