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    October 29, 2011

Brazil's 'Lula' Diagnosed With Throat Cancer

   VOA News
   Brazil's former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (file photo)
   Photo: AP
   Brazil's former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (file photo)

   Brazil's former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been diagnosed
   with a tumor in his larynx.
   Medical officials in Sao Paulo made the statement Saturday. He is
   expected to undergo chemotherapy treatments as a first course of
   action.
   The popular politician, known to Brazilians simply as "Lula," is being
   treated at Sao Paulo's Sirio Libanes hospital, which specializes in
   cancer treatment.
   Current president Dilma Rousseff was treated for lymphatic cancer at
   the same hospital before she took office in January.
   Da Silva served two terms as president, ending in December 2010. Term
   limits prevented him running for re-election, but he left office with
   approval ratings of 80 percent and above. He is still active in
   Brazilian politics.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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