Several physicians are expressing concern that former President Joe Biden’s aggressive prostate cancer was overlooked by his medical team.
The 82-year-old was diagnosed on Friday after a “small nodule” was found during a recent medical checkup.
His medical team reported a Gleason score of 9, indicating that the cancer type is particularly aggressive.
A few healthcare experts have raised questions about why a former president would receive a diagnosis at this late stage. They pointed out that routine blood tests for men over 50 should be able to identify prostate cancer early on.
“It’s really hard to understand how this wasn’t caught earlier, possibly before he left the presidency,” Dr. Howard Formman commented on X.
He noted that a Gleason Grade 9 diagnosis would likely come with elevated PSA levels well before this point, suggesting that Biden must have undergone PSA tests multiple times without any findings, which seems unusual. “I really hope for his sake that he can focus on improving his quality of life,” he added.
Dr. Stephen Kee echoed these concerns, mentioning that this type of cancer is easier to diagnose in its initial stages. “PSA blood tests track how quickly cancer cells grow. Even in the most aggressive cases, it’s typically a five- to seven-year progression before it spreads if untreated,” he explained.
He went on to describe the situation as a medical oversight, arguing that it’s unlikely Biden wouldn’t have been diagnosed during his presidency. “It’s plausible that he knew about his condition and that information was kept from the public,” he said.
Medical analyst Dr. Mark Siegel also shared insights, indicating that Biden’s cancer is highly aggressive. “He must have had top-notch healthcare, so it’s a surprise it has advanced to this point,” Siegel remarked.
Urologist Dr. David Shusterman speculated that Biden may have been aware of his condition for some time, noting that such advanced Gleason scores are seldom seen in current medical practice. “This looks like cases typically found in hospitals where patients have not received treatment for extended periods,” he added.
On a different note, Donald Trump Jr. questioned the transparency surrounding Biden’s diagnosis. He publicly wondered how Dr. Jill Biden could have missed Stage 5 metastatic cancer, implying there might be a cover-up.
Biden’s team stated that the diagnosis followed some urinary symptoms he began experiencing and emphasized that while the form of cancer is more aggressive, it is hormone-sensitive, allowing for effective management. “The president and his family are discussing treatment options with his doctor,” his office confirmed.
