Former US President Joe Biden Diagnosed With Prostrate Cancer

Emmanuel Eze

5 months ago

Former US President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, a statement from his office said on Sunday.

According to the statement, 82-year-old Biden, who left office in January, was diagnosed on Friday after he saw a doctor last week for urinary symptoms. The cancer he was diagnosed with is said to be a more aggressive form of the disease, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 out of 10, which means his illness is classified as “high-grade” and the cancer cells could spread quickly, according to Cancer Research UK.

Biden Office Statement

Biden and his family are said to be reviewing treatment options. His office added that the cancer was hormone-sensitive, meaning it could likely be managed.

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Biden’s office 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.

“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management.”

Support Messages

Biden has been receiving support messages from several personalities including his successor Donald Trump who put his feelings aside Sunday as he expressed well-wishes for the former president.

“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,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris, who took over the Democrats’ campaign after Biden dropped out of the race, also wished the former president a speedy recovery and added that “Joe is a fighter.”

“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,” Harris wrote on X. “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.”

Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also both highlighted Biden’s effort toward ending cancer in their well-wishes to the former president.

“I’m thinking of the Bidens as they take on cancer, a disease they’ve done so much to try to spare other families from. Wishing you a speedy, full recovery,” Clinton posted on X.

“Michelle and I are thinking of the entire Biden family,” Obama posted on X. “Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe, and I am certain he will fight this challenge with his trademark resolve and grace. We pray for a fast and full recovery.”

Biden’s Long History of Advocacy Against Cancer

Joe Biden’s son, Beau, an Iraq War veteran and former Delaware attorney general, died of brain cancer in 2015 at age 46.

In a presidential memorandum in 2016, then-President Barack Obama put Biden, his vice president, in charge of the White House task force aimed at curing cancer. At the time, Biden pledged that though he was “not naïve about the challenges ahead,” he had “never been more optimistic that we can do big things.”

In 2022, then-President Biden reestablished the program, dubbed the “Cancer Moonshot” initiative, committing the nation to working toward reducing the death rate from cancer by at least 50% over the next 25 years.

“We’re mobilizing the whole country effort to cut American cancer deaths in half by 20, 25 years and boost support for patients and their families. I’m confident in our capacity to do that. I know we can, but it’s not just personal — it’s about what’s possible,” Biden said last August while touting $150 million in new research awards. He had said at the time.