Biden diagnosed with prostate cancer, according to official reports.
Former President Joe Biden has received a diagnosis of prostate cancer, as confirmed by his office on Sunday. The announcement comes after Biden underwent medical evaluation last week in response to urinary symptoms and the discovery of a prostate nodule. According to reports, the assessment took place on Friday at a Philadelphia hospital.
The diagnosis revealed that the cancer cells have spread to Biden’s bones, indicating a more advanced stage of the disease. However, his office communicated that the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which could allow for effective management of the condition. Biden and his family are currently engaged in discussions with his healthcare team to explore treatment options.
Prostate cancer is assessed using a Gleason score, which rates the aggressiveness of cancerous cells on a scale from 1 to 10. Biden’s score has been identified as 9, classifying his cancer as among the most aggressive. In many cases, when prostate cancer metastasizes, it commonly spreads to the bones, making treatment more complicated. Metastasized cancer presents greater challenges compared to localized cancer because it can be difficult for medications to efficiently target all tumors.
Nonetheless, the hormone-sensitive nature of Biden’s cancer offers a potential pathway for treatment, as therapies that limit hormone availability can sometimes effectively shrink or stabilize tumors.
The health status of the 82-year-old Biden has been a significant concern among voters during his presidency. Following a difficult debate performance in June while seeking reelection, Biden decided to withdraw his candidacy for a second term. Subsequently, Kamala Harris, then Vice President, became the Democratic nominee but was ultimately defeated by Republican Donald Trump.
Despite concerns over his age, Biden has publicly dismissed apprehensions. Recent reports, including a revealing account in the book “Original Sin” by journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, suggest that aides had concealed the severity of Biden’s health issues while he served as president.
In February 2023, Biden underwent a procedure to remove a basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer, from his chest. Additionally, in November 2021, a benign, potentially pre-cancerous polyp was removed from his colon.
Biden’s administration has prioritized cancer research, evident in the “cancer moonshot” initiative launched in 2022, which aims to halve the cancer death rate over the next 25 years. This initiative is particularly personal for Biden, who lost his son Beau to brain cancer in 2015. He emphasized that this goal presents an opportunity for the United States to demonstrate its capacity for significant achievement in healthcare innovation and support.
As the nation reflects on Biden’s health challenges, attention will now focus on the administration’s efforts to advance cancer treatment and prevention initiatives.
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