Former President Joe Biden Shares Update on Cancer Diagnosis

This week, former President Joe Biden provided an update regarding his cancer diagnosis. He shared that the treatment he’s undergone has improved his condition and urged men who may be at risk to seek necessary screenings.

In a statement on X, he highlighted September as “Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.”

Biden noted, “More than 330,000 American men will hear the same words I heard last spring when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. By the time we caught it, it had already spread to my bones.” He emphasized the importance of early detection, stating, “When prostate cancer is found early, the five-year survival rate is close to 100%.”

Continuing, he encouraged men to discuss the issue with their doctors without delay. “For those at average risk, conversations should begin around age 50, and the guidelines suggest screenings every 2 to 4 years. If you’re a Black man, discussions should start at 45 or even earlier, as you are nearly 70% more likely to develop the disease and 2 to 4 times more likely to die from it. It’s a significant issue, especially in a country as wealthy as ours. If prostate cancer runs in your family, initiate the conversation at 45, or sooner if multiple family members have been affected.”

Biden then provided an update on his health, stressing how effective his treatments have been and mentioning his goal to finish writing his memoir.

“I’m truly grateful for the doctors, nurses, and medical staff who have managed my cancer and continue to care for me. Their expertise, dedication, and compassion are invaluable,” he said. “The radiation treatment from last fall was effective, and I can still pursue the things I love, like wrapping up my memoir.”

He concluded with gratitude for the support he has received, saying, “Thank you to everyone who has reached out and keeps my family and me in their thoughts and prayers. We appreciate every one of you.”

Biden’s advice aligns with guidance from the American Cancer Society, which states that “prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the US, apart from skin cancer.”

The society also notes, “While it can occur at any age, the likelihood increases with age. Most prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over 65, and it is more prevalent among men of African descent than other racial or ethnic groups. African ancestry men often develop prostate cancer at a younger age.”