Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, prompting treatment decisions.
Former President Joe Biden, aged 82, has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, his office announced recently.
This development came just days after reports emerged about a small nodule found on his prostate that warranted further medical evaluation.
Biden’s diagnosis presents a major health challenge and has attracted broad attention throughout the political world.
A statement on the diagnosis said: ‘Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms.’
‘On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone,’ it adds of the grave prognosis.
Former President Joe Biden faces ‘aggressive form’ of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones
Biden’s prostate cancer has been classified with a Gleason score of 9, the highest grade on the scale, indicating an especially aggressive tumor.
This scoring system helps doctors determine how abnormal the cancer cells look compared to normal prostate cells.
Higher scores indicate more aggressive and dangerous forms of the disease.
Although serious, the cancer is hormone-sensitive. This means it may respond well to treatments lowering testosterone, which fuels its growth.
His family is consulting doctors to review treatment options aimed at managing the disease effectively.
This prostate cancer usually needs hormone-blocking therapies to slow its growth and enhance quality of life.
Public reaction and political figures’ responses
The announcement quickly drew responses, including from President Trump, who shared sympathy for Biden’s condition.
On social media, Trump wished Biden a swift and successful recovery, a gesture that transcended the usual political rivalries.
Vice President Kamala Harris expressed sadness over the diagnosis and shared hopes for Biden’s strength and resilience during his health battle.
Biden’s vice president, Kamala Harris, reacted to his newest health revelation by saying: ‘Doug and I are saddened to learn of President Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis.
‘We are keeping him, Dr. Biden, and their entire family in our hearts and prayers during this time. Joe is a fighter — and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership. We are hopeful for a full and speedy recovery.’
Biden’s age and health have been under scrutiny for some time.
At 82, he remains the oldest individual to have held the U.S. presidency.
The discovery of the prostate nodule was made during a routine physical exam, a common occurrence among men over 65, according to medical experts.
Many men in this age group experience prostate issues, and over half of prostate cancer diagnoses occur in this demographic.
Concerns about Biden’s fitness to serve led him to forego a reelection bid in 2024, passing the baton to Kamala Harris.
Some Democratic leaders later admitted they were unaware of the full extent of his health challenges.
They suggested that advisers had shielded both the public and party members from the truth about his condition.
Biden’s longstanding battle with cancer and cancer initiatives
Biden’s relationship with cancer is deeply personal. His son Beau died from brain cancer in 2015, an event that profoundly impacted the former president.
Beau’s illness was linked to his exposure to military burn pits during his service in Iraq.
Biden has long been a strong advocate for cancer research efforts.
In 2022, he reignited the Cancer Moonshot initiative, aiming to significantly reduce the cancer death rate and improve patient outcomes by 2047.
Before his prostate cancer diagnosis, Biden had dealt with other cancer-related health concerns.
These included removing a cancerous lesion from his chest in early 2023 and receiving treatment for non-melanoma skin cancers before taking office.
Physical fitness influences Biden’s recent appearances.
Despite these health challenges, Biden was declared fit to serve after his latest physical exam at Walter Reed Medical Center in February 2024.
In recent weeks, he has made several public appearances.
These include an interview on “The View” and a pre-recorded BBC segment for Victory Day.
An upcoming book by journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson will detail Biden’s health issues and the alleged cover-up of his cognitive decline.
The book is titled “Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again”.
It reportedly reveals that Biden’s health deteriorated so much that aides considered whether he might need a wheelchair.
There are reports that advisers debated how to conceal his worsening condition until after the 2024 election, illustrating the political sensitivities around his health.
Observers noted Biden’s unsteady gait and falls, including a June 2023 Air Force Academy speech stumble, helped by Secret Service.