Former US President Joe Biden, aged 82, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones, his office announced on Sunday. The diagnosis came after Biden sought medical advice for increasing urinary symptoms last week.
The cancer is classified as a high-grade, aggressive form with a Gleason score of 9 out of 10, indicating the disease could spread rapidly. However, the cancer is hormone-sensitive, which suggests it can be managed effectively with appropriate treatment.
Biden and his family are currently reviewing treatment options as they consult with his medical team. The former president was diagnosed on Friday after tests confirmed the presence of a prostate nodule linked to his symptoms.
The diagnosis has prompted widespread support from across the political spectrum, including messages from former President Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Barack Obama, who highlighted Biden’s longstanding commitment to cancer research. Biden has been a key figure in promoting cancer treatment innovations, notably relaunching the “cancer moonshot” initiative in 2022 aimed at preventing millions of cancer deaths by 2047.
According to NBC News, the Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) signifies an aggressive tumor type, but experts note that many patients respond well to treatment, especially when the cancer is hormone-sensitive. Dr. Alan Tan of Vanderbilt University Medical Center explained that while the cancer has spread to the bones, this does not necessarily mean the disease is incurable, as hormonal therapies can slow its progression and improve quality of life.
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Meanwhile, BBC News reported that Biden’s office emphasized the hormone-sensitive nature of the cancer, which allows for effective management, and noted that the diagnosis followed a medical visit for urinary symptoms.
Biden, who is the oldest person to have held the US presidency, had already stepped down from the 2024 presidential race amid health and age concerns. His office has stated that the cancer diagnosis followed a routine physical examination that identified a small nodule, necessitating further evaluation.
The American Cancer Society notes that prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men in the US, with age being a significant risk factor. About one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.
Biden has largely stayed out of the public eye since leaving office but made several notable appearances earlier this year, including a keynote speech in Chicago and an interview with the BBC. Despite questions about his health, he has denied claims of cognitive decline.
Support has also come from members of Congress from both parties, with many expressing hope for Biden’s swift recovery. Biden’s family has faced multiple challenges related to cancer, including the loss of his eldest son, Beau, to brain cancer in 2015.
