WASHINGTON – A former aide to ex-President Joe Biden shared with the Post that he should have been diagnosed well before his stage 4 prostate cancer spread to the bones.
“People had a sense something was amiss, yet they hesitated,” said a White House staff member who worked closely with Biden, who is now 82.
In contrast to the obvious collaborative efforts to hide concerns about Biden’s mental fitness, sources suspect he may be intentionally downplaying his condition, likely fearing how such news would sway opinions following last year’s election.
The former president’s office revealed on Sunday that he received his diagnosis just two days prior after noting “an increase in urinary symptoms.”
“I’m not sure what they were thinking. I learned about it on Friday, but this situation feels much more serious,” remarked an aide from Biden’s time in office. “[If it’s] in the bones, that’s tough… I don’t think they just casually tested for it.”
Another long-time aide expressed confusion over why Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s presidential physician, didn’t conduct a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, which is a common screening for prostate cancer.
This particular test was notably absent from Biden’s February 2024 Physical Report, which covered his last examination.
“It’s possible Dr. O’Connor knew the implications of PSA tests and opted against it, perhaps fearing high levels might create negative headlines since many older men have false positives,” the source said.
“There’s a clear record of blood tests. If they were trying to hide something, it seems like they missed a crucial opportunity.”
“It’s ironic,” the aide added. “If the president avoided the PSA test to sidestep potential false positive stories, that choice could ultimately lead to serious consequences.”
Health experts noted on Monday that Biden likely had prostate cancer for years before it metastasized.
“This didn’t just happen in the last few months. He probably had it when he was president,” explained Dr. Zeke Emanuel, a member of Biden’s Covid-19 advisory board, during an MSNBC interview.
“He may have had it since the beginning of his presidency in 2021. That’s pretty much unanimous.”
Biden’s presidency faced scrutiny over his mental and physical capabilities, leading him to pause his reelection campaign after a contentious debate against Donald Trump and pushback from fellow Democrats.
Biden claimed he was in the best position to beat Trump, while critics argue this may have inadvertently benefitted his opponent’s resurgence.
The timing of Biden’s cancer announcement, occurring just days before the release of his anticipated book, Original Sin, raised eyebrows, suggesting a potential attempt to manage public narrative surrounding his health.
“Cancer affects older men differently. Those involved with the book should tread carefully; they could face backlash,” one source remarked.
“Americans generally sympathize with elderly individuals battling cancer. It’s tough to put him under scrutiny,” another added, referencing Biden’s challenges with classified documents.
The second aide downplayed the theory surrounding the announcement’s timing, saying, “This is just typical of Biden’s inner circle.”
“Docs aren’t careful.”
Sources shared that Dr. O’Connor struggled to pinpoint Biden’s cancer while in office amid concerns raised by his previous medical staff regarding symptoms.
“Honestly, the resident staff was talking about this. It wouldn’t have stayed under wraps,” claimed a former White House employee.
“If you know something’s off and aren’t doing everything to address it, you can’t maintain that facade forever.”
Dr. O’Connor was not briefed to explain Biden’s annual health reviews to the press. During one public interaction, he stated that the former president’s health was “excellent” last July.
A doctor, sanctioned by law from commenting without patient approval, could not be reached for clarification.
“Both Biden and O’Connor are on the same team,” a source observed. “There seems to be some communication gap between them.”
Biden briefly mentioned his cancer diagnosis in July 2022, though the press suggested he was referring to past skin cancer. This has resurfaced discussions following his recent announcement, although sources do not believe it connects to his prostate cancer.
“Biden and O’Connor share a close relationship. He’s more than just a doctor—he’s a friend,” explained a former official who noted the emotional bond they’ve formed over time.
“Maybe Biden wasn’t fully open with his doctor about his symptoms… It’s tough to navigate such privilege without full transparency. Symptoms can really present in a multitude of ways.”
Biden’s mentions of urinary symptoms are characteristic of prostate issues, yet sources questioned why his frequent bathroom visits weren’t more widely acknowledged.
White House insiders noted that only a select group of aides would be informed about Biden’s potential health issues within the West Wing.
The second aide, who worked alongside Biden for years, recalled that the former president was upfront about needing to use the restroom during his re-election campaign.
“When Biden asked, ‘Where is John?’ he was just being himself. Even Kamala referred to it as ‘the secondary hold’,” he said.
A former aide didn’t believe Biden concealed his health concerns to avoid additional bad news, stating, “It’s unfortunate. Joe Biden has faced many trials in his life.”
A representative from Biden’s team did not respond to requests for a statement.
