Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, as confirmed by his office. After a recent medical examination, Biden was found to have urinary symptoms and a prostate nodule, leading to a diagnosis of prostate cancer that has metastasized to the bone. Although this indicates a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer is hormone-sensitive, which offers more effective treatment options.
Prostate cancer’s aggressiveness is measured using the Gleason score, ranging from 6 to 10. Biden’s score is 9, indicating a highly aggressive cancer. Metastatic cancer, such as in Biden’s case where it has spread to the bones, poses treatment challenges as it is more difficult to target with drugs.
Despite the seriousness, hormone-sensitive prostate cancers can respond well to treatments that reduce hormone levels. Dr. Matthew Smith from the Massachusetts General Brigham Cancer Center notes that while the condition is not curable, it is treatable, and patients can live with metastatic prostate cancer for several years. He advises against surgery or radiation therapy in such cases, suggesting drug treatments instead.
Political figures have extended their support for Biden’s recovery. Former President Donald Trump expressed his sympathy and well wishes, while Vice President Kamala Harris offered her support and confidence in Biden’s resilience.
Biden’s health was a significant concern during his presidency, particularly as he sought reelection. After a poor debate performance, he dropped his campaign for a second term, leading to Kamala Harris’s nomination, who subsequently lost to Trump. Throughout his career, Biden has faced health challenges, including skin cancer and pre-cancerous lesions.
In 2022, Biden prioritized cancer research and treatment, aiming to significantly reduce cancer death rates as part of a “cancer moonshot” initiative. This effort continued his longstanding commitment to combating cancer, a personal mission after losing his son Beau to brain cancer in 2015.
