Virgin Media O2 CEO takes leave of absence for surgery

LONDON (Reuters) - Virgin Media O2's chief executive Lutz Schuler is being treated for prostate cancer and will take a leave of absence for up to eight weeks to recover from upcoming surgery, the British broadband and mobile company said on Thursday.

Chief Financial Officer Patricia Cobian will act as chief executive for the next four to eight weeks while Schuler focuses on his health and recovery, it said, adding that his prognosis was very positive and he was expected to make a full recovery.

Virgin Media O2 is a joint venture between Telefonica and Liberty Global.

(Reporting by Paul Sandle; editing by James Davey)