Buffett has prostate cancer, says he feels "great"

(CBS/AP) OMAHA, Neb. - Warren Buffett disclosed Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer, although the famed investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK) said the illness is not debilitating or life-threatening "in any way."

"I received my diagnosis last Wednesday. I then had a CAT scan and a bone scan on Thursday, followed by an MRI today," Buffett said in a letter to investors, noting that he received the diagnosis April 11. "These tests showed no incidence of cancer elsewhere in my body. My doctors and I have decided on a two-month treatment of daily radiation to begin in mid-July. This regimen will restrict my travel during that period, but will not otherwise change my daily routine."

In letter, Buffett hits at successor, shares wisdom
Buffett Rule: A Q&A

Buffett, 81, added that he feels "great" and described his energy level as "100 percent." He discovered the cancer after a medical test showed that his prostate-specific antigen level had become elevated.

Given Buffett's age, succession is an important issue for investors. In his annual letter to shareholders, published in March, Buffett announced that he had chosen a successor but declined to name him. His partner at Berkshire, Charlie Munger, is 88, and some market watchers believe their ages have weighed on the share price.

Buffett's stake in Berkshire Hathaway was more than $43 billion as of December. Shares in the conglomerate were down 1.8 percent in after-hours trading.

Some 240,000 men in the U.S. are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. Many prostate cancer patients with slow-growing tumors can live their whole lives without symptoms or treatment, according to the American Cancer Society. Many die of something else before the cancer kills them.

Buffett concluded his letter with a nod to that fact. "I will let shareholders know immediately should my health situation change," he wrote. "Eventually, of course, it will; but I believe that day is a long way off."

Cancer is divided into four different stages, CBSNews.com's HealthPop reports. The higher the number, the more advanced the disease. According to the National Cancer Institute, stage 1 indicates the cancer is found in one-half or less than one-half of one lobe of the prostate, and stage 2 prostate cancer indicates that the cancer has not spread outside the prostate.

[schishti]

Wishing you an early recovery. You shall get well soon. Join me in this: Recommendation #4 is and it's very innovative in nature, I would recommend to you that kindly rally all like-minded philanthropists who are in support of your foundation and take on the initiative from your platform to recommend to your colleagues to join you through your foundation's platform and write to Mr. Ban Ki-moon, the United Nations Secretary-General, a proposal to invite you to the upcoming General Assembly session in September 2012 and directly participate in the UN General Assembly as invited guest and dedicate and announce through your foundation to initiate a Global Fund to be managed under your foundations planned program of work to support the MDG of the United Nations. I am aware of your foundation's involvement through IFAD and such other UN sister organizations i.e. agencies funds and programmes and other UN implementing partners is ongoing. My feeling is the first Opening day of 2012 General Assembly should be that milestone when you address the General Assembly on behalf of your foundation alongside your supporters and let the forum stand up to it. You may be pleasantly surprised a UN General Assembly Resolution could be passed for supporting your foundations' proposal and further the goals of UN MDG and Bill Gates Foundations effort can see multiple fold and phenomenal response at the UN General Assembly Summit of 2012. I would definitely support you through this process in the 2012 General Assembly of Nations in coming September 2012 with your colleagues.

Recommendation # 3: I propose a website presently owned by me: www.extrajobsstarbusinesssolutions.com to be promoted and funded by Mr. Bill & Mrs. Melinda Gates Foundation to facilitate posting of existing extra jobs that exits globally. This can be achieved by developing a network of many numbers of multinational companies, advertizing their vacant job opportunities and positions on the above mentioned website to be filled with qualified candidates' internationally purely on merit basis.

Recommendation # 2: Develop a website that would primarily focus on advertising extra jobs that are normally not advertised due to the funds small businesses lack in being able to do so in our global work environment.

Recommendation #1: Establish an extension of Mr. Bill & Mrs. Melinda Gates Foundation student scholarship programme that benefit students with meager resources.

It is simple. If we want to resolve global issues that we are faced with. Let me become part of your discussion and Bill Gates Foundation team. If you and your Foundation get to use any number of my ideas, recommendations and work related advice as a freelance advisor, Mr. Bill & Mrs. Melinda Gates Foundation will promptly start paying me/my family (Team) $5 million US dollars per year for ten years to follow through on the same poverty alleviation and other MDG programs in countries of my own choosing (USA being one of them) this shall be done through a non profit organization.

[karek40]

The cancer might not be life threatening, but 81 years old is certainly on the downward side of his lifespan.

[worldviewz]

Warren Buffett is giving 99% of his wealth to charity. He lives in the same house he bought for 250,000 dollars in Omaha. Thats less that Mr. Romneys garage! He owns one of the largest private jet companies in the world but flies commercial. Him and Bill Gates are the 2 richest people in America. The man gets paid 3 million dollars to have lunch just for the chance to hear his advice. He is a national hero and a National Treasure. Show me one Republican who can match that. So to you idiots call who Him names you should shut your traps and try to emulate one of the finest America has to offer.

[karek40]

He is giving 99% of his weath to charity, think of the benefits for mankind he could have accomplished in his life if he had used it during his life for the good, rather than just amassing it.

[involved_indi]

there are dozens of them... most don't feel the need to stand on a chair, thump their chests and say "look at me". By the way, he didn't become a billionaire by being warm and fuzzy. There are plenty of wrecked lives in his wake, every one of whom he would probably dismiss as the "fortunes of war" in his rise to the top in the financial (stock market)world. If you think otherwise then you are naive. Here's is a Buffet quote I think defines the man..."I'll tell you why I like the cigarette business. It costs a penny to make. Sell it for a dollar. It's addictive. And there's fantastic brand loyalty."

—Buffett,

[RonaldFisherND]

I have great respect for the investment achievements of Warren Buffet and do not wish anything bad for him. Unfortunately one of the things he is well known for is the daily consumption of coca cola as well as investing big time in the company. The high sugar content of many foods and drinks is one of the underlying causes of most cancers. Warren would be well advised to consult a naturopathic doctor about his diet and lifestyle as well as being treated by his regular doctor and oncologist.

[thatchmo62]

This whole article is stupid and poorly researched. Prostate cancer is almost considered a geriatric disease because by the time you reach your 70's and 80's, a majority of men already have the disease and it goes mostly indiagnosed. It's just that it's slow growing and most men die of something else before the cancer spreads bad enough to kill them.

[Dreadnut]

So add prostate cancer to frontal lobe dementia.

[Keaaulady]

WOW! and they call themselves CHRISTIANS!!! Who is their God? God bless Warren Buffet and his family.

[karek40]

I read all of the comments and failed to find anyone calling themselves a christian, perhaps I missed it. Do you hate christians so much that you feel you must attack them in every blog, such hate is irrational, if you hate so much consider you might be under the influence of a one of the fallen angles.

[cbs_bull]

Warren Buffett is one of the people whom I respect the most in the world. Please get well soon. The hard working and ethical Americans need you to fight for them. America needs you.

[ANILONE]

NOT TO WORRY.......MAINTAIN WILLPOWER AND CONFIDECE........LIFESPAN IS 130 years.......at this age 81 yrs. modify lifestyle.......take help from 1] AYURVEDA 2] MODERN MEDICINE and 3] NATUROPATHY U WILL BE FREE FROM DISEASE OF PROSTATE CANCER

[ANILONE]

NOT TO WORRY.......MAINTAIN WILLPOWER AND CONFIDECE........LIFESPAN IS 130 years.......at this age 81 yrs. modify lifestyle.......take help from 1] AYURVEDA 2] MODERN MEDICINE and 3] NATUROPATHY U WILL BE FREE FROM DISEASE OF PROSTATE CANCER