Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, his office revealed on Sunday. The 82-year-old experienced urinary symptoms, prompting doctors to detect a nodule on his prostate. On Friday, it was confirmed that he has prostate cancer, which has spread to his bones. Although this type of cancer is more aggressive, it is also hormone-sensitive, allowing for effective management. Biden and his family are currently discussing treatment options with his medical team.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Biden shared a photo with his wife, Jill, and wrote, “Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support.”
Prostate cancer is classified by aggressiveness using the Gleason score, which ranges from 6 to 10. Biden’s score was 9, indicating a particularly aggressive form of cancer. When prostate cancer metastasizes, it often spreads to the bones, making it more difficult to treat because drugs may struggle to reach all affected areas. However, since Biden’s cancer is hormone-sensitive, treatments that limit hormone availability may be effective.
Recent advances in treatment have improved outcomes, and patients with metastatic prostate cancer can expect to live for four to five years. Dr. Matthew Smith, from Massachusetts General Brigham Cancer Center, stated that while the cancer is treatable, it is not curable. Most men in this situation are treated with medication and typically not advised to undergo surgery or radiation therapy.
Many political leaders expressed their well wishes for Biden’s recovery. Former President Donald Trump shared on social media that he was saddened by the news and wished Biden a quick recovery. Vice President Kamala Harris also sent her prayers, emphasizing Biden’s resilience and optimism. Former President Barack Obama, reflecting on Biden’s toughness, expressed confidence that he would face this challenge with his characteristic strength.
Throughout his presidency, Biden’s health has been a subject of concern for some voters. Despite this, Biden has dismissed concerns about his age, although a recent book revealed that his aides had minimized the extent of his health decline during his time in office. In 2023, Biden had a skin lesion removed from his chest, which was diagnosed as basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer. He also had a benign polyp removed from his colon in 2021, which had the potential to develop into cancer.
Biden has long been focused on cancer research and prevention. In 2022, he made tackling cancer a key priority of his administration, with the goal of halving the cancer death rate over the next 25 years. This initiative builds on his work as vice president to combat the disease, which claimed the life of his son, Beau, who died of brain cancer in 2015.
