Archbishop Desmond Tutu is leading a full life with prostate cancer, his office said on Tuesday.
”Archbishop Tutu has got prostate cancer but his health is being monitored by his doctors and he’s leading a full life,” said an assistant.
The cancer had resurfaced some time ago after it had been remission, the assistant said.
British newspaper the Times on Monday reported Tutu as saying that his cancer had returned but that he was in good health.
Since its publication, ”a flurry of concerned emails and phone calls” had been received by his office.
In the article, the 75-year-old archbishop said he was receiving treatment with hormones and that the prayers of others were helping to keep him alive.
”I owe a great deal to the many who sustain me with their prayers,” he said.
Tutu was first diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1996.
He was due to return to South Africa from London on Wednesday.
In his visit, he delivered the Wilberforce Emancipation Lecture in Hull and unveiled a stained-glass window at Lancing College, honouring Archbishop Trevor Huddleston.
Last month, Tutu was in Taiwan and next month he will travel to Norway, Belgium, Germany and Northern Ireland. — Sapa