Joe Biden has been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer.

Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, as confirmed by his office on Sunday. This diagnosis comes in the wake of a physical examination last week, during which doctors discovered a small nodule on his prostate prompting further evaluations. On Friday, medical professionals confirmed that the cancer had also spread to Biden’s bones.

Under the Gleason scoring system, which classifies prostate cancer from 6 to 10—ten being the most severe—Biden’s cancer has been assigned a score of 9. Despite the severity of his condition, the statement from his office indicated that the cancer is hormone-sensitive, allowing for potential management through hormonal therapy.

At 82 years old, Biden is at an increased risk of developing prostate cancer, a fact supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which states that the likelihood of prostate cancer increases with age. A higher Gleason score indicates a greater probability of rapid cancer spread, which is evident in Biden’s diagnosis.

Hormone-sensitive prostate cancers typically thrive on hormones, thus are often treated by reducing the body’s levels of these hormones. Biden’s medical team is currently assessing various treatment options in consultation with him and his family.

The former president’s health and cognitive capabilities have been subjects of considerable scrutiny, especially in light of the upcoming 2024 presidential race. Biden, who made history as the oldest president in U.S. history, has faced growing concerns regarding his fitness for office. The issue gained traction last week prior to the public disclosure of his prostate nodule when reports emerged that Biden struggled to recognize actor George Clooney during a fundraising event in June 2024, an incident that heightened concerns about his cognitive sharpness.

In June, Biden’s performance in a debate against Donald Trump further fueled doubts about his readiness for another presidential campaign. Despite denying any cognitive decline, Biden subsequently withdrew from the race in July, shortly after notable public figures, including Clooney, called for him to step aside. Vice President Kamala Harris later secured the Democratic nomination but ultimately lost to Trump in the general election.

Biden has faced health concerns in the past; in 2023, he underwent the removal of a skin lesion diagnosed as basal cell carcinoma—a common form of skin cancer. In 2021, he had a benign polyp removed from his colon. As president, he has advocated for cancer research and funding, inspired by personal tragedy, including the death of his son Beau from brain cancer in 2015.

With President Biden now navigating a challenging medical condition, the implications for his political future remain uncertain. Media News Source will continue to follow the developments regarding Biden’s health and its potential impact on American politics.