University of California President Janet Napolitano Hospitalized During Cancer Treatment

RIVERSIDE, CA – University of California President Janet Napolitano is undergoing treatment for cancer and was hospitalized this week due to "side effects" of the treatment, the university system announced today.

According to the university, Napolitano was hospitalized Monday, but "according to her physicians, she is doing extremely well."

"They expect her to be discharged in the next day or so and back to her normal duties at full capacity very soon," according to a statement from the university. "While she is recuperating, UC's senior leadership will continue to support President Napolitano in the management of the UC system and in advancing the university's key priorities."

She has continued working "at full capacity, without interruption or impact," during that time and has kept the UC Board of Regents informed about her progress, the statement said.

The exact nature of her cancer was not disclosed, but it was diagnosed at the end of August 2016.

"The treatment is nearly complete," according to the university. "President Napolitano had a previous diagnosis of cancer that was successfully treated. She has kept the chair of the UC Board of Regents informed throughout the course of her treatment."

"While she is recuperating, UC's senior leadership will continue to support President Napolitano in the management of the UC system and in advancing the University's key priorities," university officials said.

Napolitano, 59, underwent a mastectomy for breast cancer in 2000.

She was governor of Arizona and the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security under President Barack Obama before she was hired to head the UC system in 2013. She leads the university system with 10 campuses, five medical centers, three affiliated national laboratories, and a statewide agriculture and natural resources program.

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--Bay City News and City News Service contributed to this report/ Image courtesy of Regents of the University of California