Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. According to the White House, the diagnosis was made after a routine health check-up, during which a new finding of a prostate nodule was discovered. The Biden team confirmed that this led to the diagnosis, stating that the cancer has spread to the bone, which is a significant concern in terms of prognosis.
The medical team noted that though the form of the cancer is aggressive, it is hormone-sensitive, which is an important factor in determining the potential treatment options. The President and his family are currently working with his physicians to review and decide on the best course of action. This diagnosis adds to a long list of health challenges that Biden has faced, including the removal of a cancerous skin lesion from his chest and the presence of life-threatening brain aneurysms during his time as a Delaware senator.
Biden, who is 82 years old, is the oldest living U.S. president and has made cancer research a central focus of his presidency. The ‘Cancer Moonshot’ program, which he previously championed under President Barack Obama, has been a key initiative in his efforts to reduce the cancer death rate in the U.S. by about half over the next 25 years. The program emphasizes collaboration and data sharing among the cancer research community, as Biden has previously stated.
Beyond personal health, this diagnosis has broader implications for the nation’s approach to cancer research and treatment. As the President continues to navigate his health challenges, the public is watching closely, understanding that this is not just a personal issue but one that reflects on the broader efforts in the fight against cancer in the United States.