Former U.S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, his office announced on Sunday. The good news is that the cancer appears to respond to hormone treatment, which gives hope for managing it effectively.
How Was It Discovered?
Biden, who is 82 years old, visited his doctor recently due to urinary problems. Tests showed a prostate nodule, and further examination confirmed prostate cancer. His cancer has a Gleason score of 9 out of 10, which means it’s very aggressive and fast-growing. The cancer has already spread (metastasised) to his bones.
What Is a Gleason Score?
The Gleason score shows how aggressive prostate cancer is by looking at cells under a microscope. A score of 9 is considered very high risk, which means the cancer is growing and spreading quickly.
Dr. Herbert Lepor, a urologist, said this is serious but treatments have improved a lot in recent years, and many men with advanced prostate cancer can still live for 5 to 10 years or more.
Symptoms and Detection
Biden had common urinary symptoms such as:
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Weak or interrupted urine flow
- Pain while urinating or during ejaculation
- Blood in urine or semen
Since the cancer has spread to his bones, bone pain in areas like the hips, back, or chest may also be present.
Doctors believe he had a PET scan, which showed the cancer had spread. This is common, as early tests sometimes miss signs of cancer, according to experts.
What Are the Treatment Options?
If prostate cancer is caught early and hasn’t spread, it usually has a very high survival rate (about 98%). But once it spreads to other parts of the body, like bones, the survival rate drops to about 37%.
Doctors say this kind of cancer can’t be cured once it spreads, but hormone therapy can help slow it down. This treatment blocks testosterone, which fuels the growth of prostate cancer.
Experts say Biden could still live for several years, even with bone metastases. Some people with similar conditions live 3 to 5 years, while others survive much longer, depending on how the cancer responds to treatment.
Public and Political Reactions
There has been a wave of support for Biden from across the political spectrum.
- Vice President Kamala Harris said Biden is a fighter and will face this with strength and hope.
- Even his political rival Donald Trump offered well wishes, saying he and Melania are saddened and hope for a full recovery.
Biden’s health has been in the spotlight for a while. He decided not to run for re-election in 2024, especially after a poor debate performance. His age and fitness had already raised questions among voters and Democrats.
Why Is Prostate Cancer a Big Concern?
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide. In the U.S., 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed during their lifetime. In 2022, over 3.5 million American men were living with prostate cancer.
It is the most diagnosed cancer in 112 countries and the leading cause of cancer death in 48. While some forms grow slowly, others—like Biden’s—can spread quickly.
Many public figures, like Robert De Niro, Ian McKellen, and Colin Powell, have faced prostate cancer. Biden’s son, Beau Biden, died of brain cancer in 2015, making this diagnosis even more personal for him.
In 2022, President Biden revived the “Cancer Moonshot” initiative, aiming to cut cancer deaths by half. Now, that mission has become even more meaningful for him and his family.
