Former U.S. President Joe Biden, 82, has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, his office announced on Sunday. Doctors graded the cancer a 9 out of 10 on the Gleason scale, indicating one of the most advanced and aggressive forms of the disease.
The diagnosis followed reports of urinary symptoms, which prompted further medical investigation. Doctors identified a nodule on his prostate, ultimately determining that the cancer had reached Stage 4, the most advanced stage. Though advanced, the cancer is hormone-sensitive, allowing for targeted treatment options that can effectively manage, though not cure, the disease. Medical experts note that with current advancements, patients can often live five to ten years with proper treatment.
The announcement prompted bipartisan messages of support, including from U.S. President Donald Trump, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and former President Barack Obama. Obama praised Biden’s long-standing commitment to cancer research, including his 2022 revival of the “Cancer Moonshot” initiative with the goal of halving cancer death rates over 25 years.
