The health status of former President Joe Biden has taken a concerning turn as he embarks on radiation therapy for prostate cancer treatment. This revelation was confirmed by a representative who spoke to ABC News, shedding light on Biden's ongoing medical journey.
In an official statement, the spokesperson mentioned: "As part of a treatment plan for prostate cancer, President Biden is currently undergoing radiation therapy and hormone treatment." This dual approach suggests a carefully crafted strategy aimed at tackling the cancer effectively.
Back in May, Biden's team disclosed his prostate cancer diagnosis, indicating that, although the cancer is considered aggressive, it appears to be hormone-sensitive, which is good news since this characteristic could lead to more effective management options. Biden, who is 82 years old, shared in May, "It's all about taking a pill, specifically one particular pill, for the next six weeks and then another one after that." His optimistic statement continued with, "Well, the prognosis is good. You know, we're working on everything. It's moving along. So I feel good."
Specifically, his office characterized the cancer with a significant Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5), which means it is a highly aggressive type of prostate cancer. A Gleason score in this range reveals that the cancer cells differ substantially from normal prostate cells and are more likely to escalate in growth and spread. This classification places Biden's cancer in the highest-risk category, associated with a heightened probability of metastasis and more arduous prognoses. However, there’s a silver lining: its hormone-sensitive nature opens up potential treatment avenues as highlighted by the National Cancer Institute.
It’s worth noting that prostate cancer holds the title of the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men and stands as the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, according to research by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
To put things into perspective, it is expected that about 313,780 new cases of prostate cancer will be identified this year, which accounts for 15.4% of all new cancer diagnoses. Moreover, the five-year survival rate for those diagnosed with prostate cancer is approximately 98%, according to NIH data.
Typically, prostate cancer is known for its slow progression. This means that while catching it before the onset of symptoms may not always enhance men's health or longevity, it generally remains a highly treatable cancer, even in instances where it has begun to spread.
The announcement regarding Biden's radiation therapy follows his previous Mohs surgery, a common and effective procedure for skin cancer, which took place in September as reported by his spokesperson.
Biden's health has been a topic of scrutiny ever since he exited the presidential race in 2024, allowing then-Vice President Kamala Harris to take the lead role of the Democratic presidential candidate.
Interestingly, before revealing his prostate cancer diagnosis, Biden and former First Lady Dr. Jill Biden made an appearance on ABC's "The View," where they actively refuted claims circulating in a number of new books by reporters suggesting that Biden was experiencing cognitive decline towards the end of his presidency.
With so many facets to Biden's health situation and its implications on his life and public perception, what are your thoughts? Do you think that the management of his cancer marks a trend for broader public figures discussing their health struggles? What might this mean for perceptions surrounding health and leadership? Let’s discuss in the comments!
