Former South African president Mr Nelson Mandela(83) has prostate cancer and will receive radio therapy for seven weeks.
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His spokeswoman, Ms Zelda la Grange, said Mr Mandela had been monitored regularly for the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) that indicates cancer.
Although the clinical picture showed no alteration in his status, there had been a slight rise in the blood level of the PSA. A decision was then made to biopsy the prostate gland, which confirmed the presence of microscopic cancer within the prostate.
"The cancer is not of a high grade and should not decrease Mr Mandela's lifespan," his spokeswoman said in a statement.
Mr Mandela's course of radio therapy will be localised to the prostate gland and he will not require any surgery or chemotherapy, the statement said.
Most of Mandela's prostate gland was removed in an operation in 1990.
He celebrated his 83rd birthday and the third anniversary of his marriage to former Mozambican first lady Ms Graca Machel on July 18th.
