Former US President Joe Biden is currently receiving radiation therapy as part of treatment for metastatic prostate cancer diagnosed in May, his spokesperson confirmed on Saturday.
“As part of a treatment plan for prostate cancer, President Biden is currently undergoing radiation therapy and hormone treatment,” the spokesperson said.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT HISTORY
Biden, who will turn 83 next month, revealed in May that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that had already spread to his bones. His medical team described the illness as hormone-sensitive, indicating that it was likely to respond well to treatment.
In September, Biden underwent Mohs surgery to remove cancerous skin cells from his forehead, a procedure commonly used to treat skin cancer. His physician reported that “all cancerous tissue was successfully removed” and no further treatment was required. A large bandage on his forehead was visible during public appearances following the procedure.
PUBLIC RESPONSE AND PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
Following the prostate cancer announcement, Biden wrote on X, “Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support.”
His office had previously said he was exploring multiple treatment options to ensure “effective management” of the illness. Multiple oncologists were quoted by NBC News as saying that, given the cancer’s metastatic nature, it was possible the condition had gone undiagnosed for years.
SCREENING AND MEDICAL CONTEXT
Men of Biden’s age are not usually screened regularly for prostate cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends men in their 50s and 60s get screened every two years. It is unclear whether Biden underwent prostate cancer screening during his last medical exam while in office last year.
Biden left the White House in January after suspending his re-election campaign the previous year and endorsing his vice president, Kamala Harris, for another term.
During his presidency, Biden faced scrutiny over his age and fitness for office, claims repeatedly denied by him and his family.
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