Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, confirmed by his office following a medical evaluation prompted by urinary symptoms. At 82, Biden faces a serious health challenge marked by a high Gleason score of 9 out of 10, indicating a rapidly advancing cancer.
Prostate Cancer and Its Impact on Black Men
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men in the United States. According to the CDC, about 13% of men will develop it during their lifetime. Age is the primary risk factor, with incidence rising significantly in older men. Importantly, Black men experience higher rates of prostate cancer and are more often diagnosed at advanced stages, leading to poorer outcomes. Early screening is crucial for this group to improve survival rates.
Organizations like ZERO Prostate Cancer provide specialized support groups for Black men battling the disease, emphasizing the need for community and awareness.
Treatment Outlook and Biden’s Medical Care
Biden and his family are currently reviewing treatment options. The cancer’s hormone sensitivity offers hope for management through therapies that can control disease progression and maintain quality of life. His medical team is expected to tailor a treatment plan suited to his condition.
Political and Public Response
This diagnosis comes nearly a year after Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential race amid health and age concerns. As the oldest U.S. president in history, Biden has faced scrutiny over his fitness for office. His withdrawal paved the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic nominee.
Support for Biden has crossed party lines. Democratic Representative Ro Khanna and Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene both publicly offered prayers and well-wishes, signaling a rare moment of bipartisan solidarity.
Biden’s Continued Advocacy and Public Presence
Since leaving office, Biden has kept a lower public profile but remains active in advocacy, particularly in cancer research. He relaunched the Cancer Moonshot initiative in 2022, aiming to drastically reduce cancer deaths by 2047—a cause personally significant to him after the loss of his son Beau to brain cancer in 2015. Biden’s recent public appearances include a disability advocacy conference and interviews addressing his health and political decisions.
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