Former U.S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. According to a statement from his office, the 82-year-old was recently seen by doctors after experiencing urinary symptoms. Tests revealed the cancer had already spread to his bones.
Doctors assigned the illness a Gleason score of 9 out of 10, which classifies it as high-grade. This means the cancer cells are likely to grow and spread quickly.
Despite how serious the condition is, Biden’s office noted that the cancer is hormone-sensitive. This makes it easier to manage with treatment. “While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management,” the statement said.
The news has led to an outpouring of support from political figures across party lines and around the world.
President Donald Trump expressed his sympathy on his Truth Social platform. “We are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis. We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family,” he said.
Former Vice-President Kamala Harris also sent her support. She said she and her husband Doug Emhoff are praying for the Biden family. “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,” she wrote on X.
Former President Barack Obama also reacted to the diagnosis. He described Biden as someone who has done more than anyone to push cancer research forward. “We pray for a fast and full recovery,” Obama said.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer sent good wishes as well. He said he was very sorry to hear the news and wished Biden a swift and successful recovery.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men, after skin cancer. It mostly affects older men. When it spreads to the bones, it is usually no longer curable. However, treatment can still help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Dr. William Dahut of the American Cancer Society said patients often respond well to early treatments. He explained that people can still live many years even after a serious diagnosis like Biden’s.
Joe Biden has been a leading voice in the fight against cancer. He lost his son Beau to brain cancer in 2015. In 2022, he and First Lady Jill Biden relaunched the “cancer moonshot” initiative. The goal is to reduce cancer deaths by over four million by the year 2047.
His diagnosis adds a deeply personal chapter to his lifelong mission of supporting cancer research and treatment.
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