Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa and Nobel peace prize winner, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2001 at the age of 83.

Mandela is most famous for his life-long work to end apartheid and bring about fully representative democracy in South Africa. He was held as a political prisoner for 27 years before his release in 1990.

Mandela underwent 7 weeks of radiation therapy in 2001 as the primary treatment for his prostate cancer. Since undergoing treatment, there have been no subsequent reports to suggest that Mandela's cancer has returned.

Source:

BBC News