Warren Buffett, an 81 year old billionaire investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway informed his company's shareholders that he has been diagnosed with stage 1 prostate cancer, on Tuesday.

Warren Buffett who was a key figure in bringing the US out of recession or at least stabilizing it, is one of the world's most richest people.

In his letter he said that his condition was not life-threatening and that if that was the case, he would inform the shareholders accordingly.

This is the full text of the letter, which he sent to the Shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway:

This is to let you know that I have been diagnosed with stage I prostate cancer. The good news is that I’ve been told by my doctors that my condition is not remotely life-threatening or even debilitating in any meaningful way. I received my diagnosis last Wednesday. I then had a CAT scan and a bone scan on Thursday, followed by an MRI today. 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.

I feel great — as if I were in my normal excellent health — and my energy level is 100 percent. I discovered the cancer because my PSA level (an indicator my doctors had regularly checked for many years) recently jumped beyond its normal elevation and a biopsy seemed warranted.

I will let shareholders know immediately should my health situation change. Eventually, of course, it will; but I believe that day is a long way off.

Warren E. Buffett.

According to the American National Cancer Institute, the five-year survival rate for those diagnosed with prostate cancer that's localized is 100%.
Buffett was diagnosed on Thursday and followed up with a doctor's consultation on Monday, from which he went directly back into a business meeting.