Following the ex-president’s unexpected cancer diagnosis, the White House faces accusations of having downplayed Biden’s 2022 cancer comment.
Biden’s 2022 cancer comment gains attention after diagnosis
Former President Joe Biden’s recent prostate cancer diagnosis has reignited discussion about a 2022 public comment.
During a speech about oil refinery emissions, Biden appeared to claim he had cancer.
Speaking in Massachusetts near his childhood home in Delaware, Biden said, “That’s why I and so damn many other people I grew up with have cancer and why for the longest time Delaware had the highest cancer rate in the nation,”
At the time, White House officials downplayed the remark.
Former spokesperson Andrew Bates referred reporters to fact-checkers. They suggested Biden was referring to past non-melanoma skin cancers.
“Check out Biden’s medical report. Before he became president, he’d had non-melanoma skin cancers removed,” Kessler posted on X at the time.
Experts say Biden’s 2022 remarks referred to past skin cancers
Medical experts clarified biden’s 2022 remarks as referencing non-melanoma skin cancers, not current cancer
Former White House physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor noted Biden had several localized skin cancers removed before his presidency.
O’Connor attributed these to sun exposure, not oil refinery pollution.
Additionally, he also explained Biden underwent Mohs surgery to remove the lesions completely with clear margins.
“It is well-established that President Biden did spend a good deal of time in the sun in his youth”. O’Connor
The doctor explained Biden underwent Mohs surgery to remove the lesions completely with clear margins. No mention was made of any other cancer diagnosis at that time.
He continued: “He has had several localized, non-melanoma skin cancers removed with Mohs surgery before he started his presidency. These lesions were completely excised, with clear margins.”
Biden’s aggressive prostate cancer shows metastasis
On May 14, Biden’s spokesperson revealed his diagnosis of aggressive prostate cancer with bone metastasis. The cancer has a Gleason score of 9, indicating an advanced form.
“Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms,” a spokesperson said. “On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone.”
“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management,” Biden’s spokesperson added. “The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.”
However, experts have expressed surprise the canner was not detected earlier.
Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel said Biden probably had cancer during the start of his presidency in 2021.
Howard Forman, a Yale professor, called it “inconceivable” that the cancer went unnoticed. He said elevated PSA levels should have been flagged earlier.
Prostate cancer affects 13% of men and holds personal meaning for Biden
The CDC estimates that about 13% of men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Biden’s own family has experienced cancer losses, including his son Beau in 2015.
Biden has long advocated for cancer research and led the Cancer Moonshot Initiative during the Obama administration.
Joe Biden’s 2022 remarks about cancer are being reconsidered in light of his recent diagnosis.
Additionally, medical experts now question how advanced prostate cancer went undetected for years.
As Biden reviews treatment options, public focus grows on transparency and timely medical care for all.