Joe Biden, 82, spoke out for the first time since his cancer diagnosis with a social media post on Monday morning.
‘All of us are affected by cancer,’ expressed the ex-president on X in a message accompanied by a photo of himself smiling courageously beside a serious-looking former first lady, Jill Biden, who is holding their gray tabby cat Willow.
‘Similar to many of you, Jill and I have discovered that our strength is most evident in times of difficulty,’ Biden remarked. ‘We are grateful for the love and support that you have shown us.’
The social media update was shared shortly after Biden’s team disclosed that he had received a grave diagnosis of advanced prostate cancer that had spread to his bones on Friday.
A statement on the diagnosis said that the Biden family is deciding on treatment options.
‘Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms,’ the statement reads.
‘On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone,’ it adds of the grave prognosis.
Prostate cancers are provided a ‘Gleason score,’ which measures how the cancerous cells look compared with normal cells. Biden’s score of 9 suggests his cancer is among the most aggressive.
‘While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management,’ his office noted.
The announcement came just one week after reports revealed that a ‘small nodule’ was found on Biden’s prostate that needed ‘further evaluation.’
It’s common for those of Biden’s advanced age to experience prostate issues. More than half of prostate cancers are found in men older than 65, according to the American Cancer Society.
A nodule is a firm lump or swelling that can develop throughout the body. While they can be benign and harmless, some can be associated with bigger health concerns like infections or, in this case, cancer.
President Donald Trump released a short statement to Truth Social on Sunday saying he and first lady Melania Trump were ‘saddened to hear’ about Biden’s cancer diagnosis.
‘We wish Joe a fast and successful recovery,’ Trump wrote.
Biden left office as the oldest serving president in U.S. history – he was also elected as the oldest ever person to hold the highest office.
When in office presidents receive thorough annual physicals. This would likely include for someone of Biden’s age a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA), which measures the level of PSA in the blood. If elevated it could indicate prostate cancer or other prostate conditions.
Biden’s physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor wrote in a statement after a check-up in February 2024: ‘The President feels well and this year’s physical identified no new concerns. He continues to be fit for duty and fully executes all of his responsibilities without any exemptions or accommodations.’
But skepticism has emerged over the timeline of Biden’s diagnosis, claiming that he likely knew about his cancer much sooner than is being portrayed – especially considering its advanced stage just over a year after his last presidential physical.
During his time back in the White House four years after his two terms as VP, Biden reignited his Cancer Moonshot initiative.
Originally put in charge of the effort under President Barack Obama, Biden brought it back in 2022 with the goal of cutting the cancer death rate in half by 2047. It also sought to improve the lives of those living with cancer.
Helping to find treatments and cures for cancer hit close to home for Biden – even before his own diagnosis.
The former president’s son Beau Biden died in 2015 at the age of 46 after he was diagnosed in 2013 with glioblastoma multiforme, the most aggressive type of brain cancer. His father claimed the cancer was a consequence of his Beau’s exposure to military burn pits when he was serving in Iraq.
May 30 of this year marks the 10 year anniversary of Beau’s death.
Biden usually spends that day with his family at his home church St. Joseph on the Brandywine in Wilmington, Delaware for a special mass and to visit his son’s grave.
In February 2023, Biden had a cancerous lesion removed from his chest and before entering office had several non-melanoma skin cancer spots removed with Mohs surgery.
While still president in February 2024, Biden’s doctor declared him ‘fit to serve’ following a routine physical at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Still questions over the former president’s age, health and fitness for office ultimately led him to ditch his reelection campaign and let then-Vice President Kamala Harris, 60, take over.
Leaders within the Democratic Party just recently started to publicly admit Biden should not have run for reelection in 2024. Some claim that they were duped by advisers who were shielding the then-president from the public and telling members of the party he was healthy and fit behind the scenes.
Harris reacted to news of Biden’s health update by saying she and former second gentlemen Doug Emhoff are ‘saddened to learn of President Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis.’
‘We are keeping him, Dr. Biden, and their entire family in our hearts and prayers during this time. Joe is a fighter — and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership. We are hopeful for a full and speedy recovery,’ she former VP wrote.
Biden’s office claims the form of cancer he has appears to be hormone sensitive and might be effectively managed by various treatments – including blocking testosterone because that hormone can help the cancer grow and thrive.
‘The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians,’ it states.
