Former President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
The diagnosis was made after a small lump was discovered during a routine physical examination, and further evaluation confirmed the presence of cancer with a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) and metastasis to the bone.
According to his spokesman, Biden experienced increasing urinary symptoms, which led to the discovery of the prostate nodule.
“Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms,” the spokesman said. “On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterised by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone.”
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The cancer is considered high-grade due to the Gleason score, indicating that the cancerous cells look quite different from normal cells. Since the cancer has spread to the bones, treatment will be more complex. However, the tumour appears to be hormone-sensitive, allowing effective management through treatments that deprive the tumours of hormones.
Reacting to the news, Donald Trump said, “Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis. We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
Kamala Harris, Biden’s former vice president, expressed her support, saying, “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.”
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also extended his well-wishes, stating, “I am very sorry to hear President Biden has prostate cancer. All the very best to Joe, his wife Jill, and their family.”
This diagnosis comes after Biden, 82, faced scrutiny over his health and mental fitness towards the end of his presidency. Despite these concerns, his doctor, Kevin O’Connor, gave him a clean bill of health last year, stating that Biden “feels well and continues to be fit for duty.”
Biden had made a cancer moonshot initiative a priority in 2022, aiming to halve the cancer death rate, motivated by the loss of his older son, Beau, to the disease.
