Former US President Joe Biden, 82, has been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. A statement from his office confirmed the diagnosis, which came after he visited a doctor last week due to urinary problems.
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Biden’s cancer is described as aggressive, with a Gleason score of 9 out of 10. This high score means the cancer is fast-growing and more likely to spread. Despite the seriousness, doctors say the cancer is hormone-sensitive. This means it can likely be managed with hormone therapy, which helps slow the cancer’s growth.
According to the statement, doctors found a prostate nodule after Biden complained of worsening urinary symptoms. On Friday, tests confirmed that the cancer had spread to the bone. His office added that Biden and his family are currently reviewing treatment options.
Support poured in from both political parties following the announcement. Former President Donald Trump said he and Melania Trump were saddened by the news and sent their best wishes to Biden and his family. Former Vice President Kamala Harris also expressed support, calling Biden a fighter and praising his strength and optimism. Barack Obama, who served with Biden from 2009 to 2017, said he and Michelle Obama are thinking of the Biden family. Obama noted that Biden has long supported cancer research and will face this new challenge with resolve and grace.
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Biden has been a strong advocate for cancer research for years. In 2016, he led the “cancer moonshot” initiative during the Obama administration. He relaunched the campaign in 2022 with his wife Jill Biden, aiming to prevent over four million cancer deaths by 2047. Biden’s personal connection to cancer advocacy is deep—his son Beau Biden died of brain cancer in 2015.
The news of Biden’s diagnosis comes nearly a year after he withdrew from the 2024 presidential race due to health and age concerns. He had been facing criticism after a poor debate performance against current President Donald Trump. He was later replaced by Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate.
Since leaving the White House, Biden has kept a low profile, making only a few public appearances. He gave a speech in April at a disability rights conference in Chicago and gave his first post-presidency interview to the BBC in May. In that interview, he said stepping down from the presidential race was a difficult decision. Later that month, he appeared on The View and denied rumors of cognitive decline, saying there was no evidence to support those claims.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men in the United States, after skin cancer. The CDC says 13 out of every 100 men will get prostate cancer during their lifetime. Older men are at the highest risk.
Experts say that while cancer that spreads to the bones is not usually curable, many patients respond well to treatment and can live for many years. Dr. William Dahut from the American Cancer Society said hormone therapy is likely to be part of Biden’s treatment plan.
As the world watches, many are hoping for Joe Biden’s full and speedy recovery. His long-standing commitment to fighting cancer continues to inspire support from people across the political spectrum.
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