Former President Joe Biden Faces Aggressive Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

Former U.S. President Joe Biden, aged 82, has been diagnosed with a severe form of prostate cancer, his office announced on Sunday. The diagnosis followed a routine physical examination that detected a small nodule in his prostate, prompting further medical evaluation. By Friday, tests confirmed the cancer had metastasized to his bones, marking it as an aggressive disease with a Gleason score of 9, indicating highly abnormal cancer cells likely to grow rapidly.

According to a statement from Biden’s office, the cancer is hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management despite its advanced stage. The former president and his family are currently consulting with physicians to explore treatment options. The diagnosis came after Biden experienced urinary symptoms earlier in the week, leading to additional tests at a Philadelphia hospital.

Biden’s health has been under public scrutiny throughout his career, notably during his presidency. In February 2023, while still in office, he underwent a procedure to remove a basal cell carcinoma from his chest, a common form of skin cancer. His medical history also includes prior treatments for non-melanoma skin cancers before his presidency.

The announcement has drawn attention to Biden’s long-standing commitment to cancer research, particularly following the death of his son, Beau, from brain cancer in 2015. As Biden navigates this personal health challenge, his office emphasized that the hormone-sensitive nature of the cancer offers viable management strategies.