Apple's Steve Jobs reveals health problems

by Dan Leahul, Brand Republic 05-Jan-09, 15:10

LONDON - On the eve of his first missed Macworld keynote address in several years, Apple CEO Steve Jobs has released a statement quelling rumours he had cancer and revealing a "hormone imbalance" is to blame for his recent weight loss.

In an open letter addressed to the Apple community, Jobs said that he will undergo a "relatively simple" treatment and expects to be in full health by spring -- he will stay on as Apple boss.

Speculation about Jobs' health reached fever pitch when he declined to deliver the keynote speech at the annual Macworld conference, which kicks off this week in San Francisco.

Jobs, who survived pancreatic cancer, looked increasingly thin in his public appearances over the course of last year. This raised alarm about his health and even temporarily caused Apple's share price to dip.

In his letter, Jobs wrote: "For the first time in a decade, I'm getting to spend the holiday season with my family, rather than intensely preparing for a Macworld keynote.

"Unfortunately, my decision to have Phil [Schiller, vice-president of marketing] deliver the Macworld keynote set off another flurry of rumours about my health, with some even publishing stories of me on my deathbed.

"Fortunately, after further testing, my doctors think they have found the cause -- a hormone imbalance that has been "robbing" me of the proteins my body needs to be healthy. Sophisticated blood tests have confirmed this diagnosis."

Apple said that this year's Macworld conference, run by IDG, will be its last. Apple said it no longer wanted to release new products at another company's trade show.

Apple released its own statement regarding Jobs' health, which read: "Apple is very lucky to have Steve as its leader and CEO, and he deserves our complete and unwavering support during his recuperation.

"He most certainly has that from Apple and its board."