Joe Biden has prostate cancer. Credit: Jonah Elkowitz, Shutterstock
Former US President Joe Biden, 82, has already been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to the bone, according to a statement from his office released Sunday, May 18th.
Cancer was discovered following an increase in urinary symptoms. Biopsy confirmed Gleason scores of 9 out of 10, indicating high-grade, rapidly growing tumors. Biden’s office said cancer is hormone sensitive and could enable effective treatment.
“On Friday he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and was characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone,” the statement read.
Will Biden survive his prostate cancer?
Biden and his family are currently reviewing treatment plans with his medical team.
Dr. Benjamin Davis of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center said the fact that Biden’s cancer is spreading to the bone is “very serious and incurable.”
However, “There is some good news about the recent years of new hormones and chemotherapy treatments in this space (which came) have shown impressive results and significantly increased patient life expectancy.” (Quote). CNN).
Dr. William Dahoot, chief science officer of the American Cancer Society, told the BBC: “I don’t think that if cancer spreads to the bone, it’s not considered curable cancer in general,” he added, but many patients “can live for many years on diagnosis.” (Quote) BBC).
Dr. Jamin Bluffbat, a urologist at Orlando Health, also said. CNN With treatment, even high-risk patients can “live a fairly normal life.”
Global support for Biden following prostate cancer news
The news sparked support for Biden in the US and internationally.
Donald Trump posted about the truth social: “Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis. I hope Joe has a quick and successful recovery.”
Kamala Harris wrote in X: “Joe is a fighter, and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience and optimism that has always defined his life and leadership.”
Barack Obama added: “No one has done any better to find a groundbreaking treatment for cancer in any form than Joe. I am sure he will fight this challenge with his trademark determination and grace. We wish him a prompt and full recovery.”
British Prime Minister Kiel Starmer also expressed his support that “it’s the best thing for Joe, his wife Jill and his family, and that the President wants a quick and successful treatment.” (Quote) BBC. )
Biden’s personal history with cancer and his cancer moonshot campaign
Cancer is a personal issue for Biden. His son Beau died of brain cancer in 2015 at the age of 46. In 2016, President Obama appointed Biden to lead the Cancer Moonshot initiative. The program was restarted in 2022 and aimed to reduce cancer deaths by at least 50% within 25 years.
Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential election after a poor performance of the debate in June, and subsequently raised concerns about his cognitive health. In a recent interview with ViewBiden said: “There’s nothing to keep it.”
Although most of the time was out of the public eye, he gave a speech in April and appeared in a BBC interview in May, where he called withdrawing from the election “difficult.”
Biden will remain at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, and his team says updates will continue when available.
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