Biden’s office confirms his last prostate cancer screening occurred in 2014.

Former President Joe Biden’s office has disclosed that the last known prostate cancer screening he underwent was in 2014, and until recently, he had not been diagnosed with the disease. This revelation comes amid increasing scrutiny of the health status of the 82-year-old president during his tenure, raising questions about how the disease could have potentially progressed to an advanced stage without previous detection.

Biden’s diagnosis was announced last Sunday, revealing that the cancer has reportedly metastasized to his bones, rendering it incurable though manageable with appropriate treatment. The brief statement from Biden’s office did not provide details on the outcome of his 2014 prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, which measures levels of PSA in the blood and can indicate prostate issues.

This new information has stirred a mix of public sympathy and skepticism. Some critics, including former President Donald Trump, have suggested that the severity of Biden’s cancer may indicate a cover-up during his time in office, prompting speculation about the transparency of his health disclosures. Trump remarked that he was surprised the public was not informed of Biden’s condition sooner, emphasizing that such serious diagnoses typically take a considerable amount of time to develop.

In conjunction with the heightened speculation surrounding Biden’s health, the White House physician’s memo released after Trump’s recent physical examination noted that he had normal PSA levels. In contrast, no such disclosures were made regarding Biden’s PSA results in his health summaries, further fueling debates over the adequacy of health communications from the White House.

Prostate cancer screening, especially through PSA tests, has been a contentious topic within the medical community. While it can facilitate early detection, it also carries risks of leading to unnecessary treatments with side effects that can significantly impact quality of life. Medical guidelines generally advise against routine prostate cancer screening for men aged 70 and older. Given Biden’s age, these recommendations become particularly relevant.

While early detection of prostate cancer significantly increases survival rates, the disease remains a leading cause of cancer mortality among men. According to statistics from the American Cancer Society, approximately one in eight men will receive a prostate cancer diagnosis in their lifetime.

The recent developments surrounding Biden’s health have reignited conversations about the importance of transparency in public servant health disclosures, particularly for those in high-stakes positions. As the nation navigates this sensitive period, the discourse around Biden’s health will likely continue to evolve, reflecting both concern for his well-being and a demand for accountability from public figures.