*Harris: ‘We’re Praying For Joe’
FORMER United States (US) President, Joe Biden, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, a statement from his office said on Sunday, May 18.
Biden, 82, who left office in January, this year, was diagnosed on Friday, May 16, after he saw a doctor last week for urinary symptoms.
The cancer is a more aggressive form of the disease, characterised by a Gleason score of nine out of 10. This means his illness is classified as “high-grade” and the cancer cells could spread quickly, according to Cancer Research UK.
According to BBC News, Biden and his family were said to be reviewing treatment options, with his office adding that the cancer was hormone-sensitive, meaning it could likely be managed.
In Sunday’s statement, Biden’s office said: “Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms.
“On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterised by a Gleason score of nine (Grade Group 5), with metastasis to the bone.
“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management.”
After news broke of his diagnosis, the former president received support from both sides of the aisle, with his successor, President Donald Trump, writing on his Truth Social that he and First Lady, Melania Trump, were “saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis.”
He added: “We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family. We wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
Former Vice President, Kamala Harris, who served under Biden, wrote on X that she and her husband, Doug Emhoff, were keeping the Biden family in their prayers.
“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,” Harris said.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris has publicly extended her support to President Joe Biden following the announcement of his aggressive prostate cancer diagnosis.
In a message shared on X, Harris expressed her sympathy on behalf of herself and her husband, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff: “Doug and I are deeply saddened to hear about President Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis.
“We’re holding him, Dr. Biden, and their family in our hearts and prayers during this difficult time.”
Biden’s predecessor, Barack Obama, who served as President from 2009 to 2017 with Biden as his deputy, said on X that he and his wife, Michelle, were “thinking of the entire Biden family.”
He added: “Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe, and I am certain he will fight this challenge with his trademark resolve and grace.
“We pray for a fast and full recovery.”
In the United Kingdom (UK), Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “I am very sorry to hear President Biden has prostate cancer. All the very best to Joe, his wife, Jill, and their family, and wishing the president swift and successful treatment.”
Biden, then the Democratic nominee vying for re-election, faced mounting criticism of his poor performance in a June televised debate against Republican nominee and current President, Trump.
He was later replaced as the Democratic candidate by Harris.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer affecting men, behind skin cancer, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that 13 out of every 100 men will develop prostate cancer at some point in their lives.
Age is the most common risk factor, the CDC explained.
Biden had largely retreated from the public eye since leaving the White House and he has made few public appearances.
In 2022, he and his wife relaunched the “cancer moonshot” initiative with the goal of mobilising research efforts to prevent over four million cancer deaths by the year 2047.
Biden himself lost his eldest son, Beau, to brain cancer in 2015.
