Former U.S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, as stated by his office on Sunday. The diagnosis was made after Biden, 82, experienced urinary symptoms earlier in the week. Currently, he and his family are exploring treatment options in consultation with medical professionals.
Despite the seriousness of the diagnosis, Biden’s office noted that the cancer is hormone-sensitive, which could allow for effective management of the condition. The White House has not yet commented further on the diagnosis.
This news comes amid a backdrop of increasing concerns regarding Biden’s age, particularly after he ended his re-election bid abruptly last July, following a challenging debate performance against Donald Trump. The scrutiny over his mental acuity and physical health has been evident since he was elected as the oldest president in U.S. history.
Prominent figures within the Democratic party have since expressed regret over not adequately addressing voter concerns about Biden’s age prior to his nomination. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy highlighted the party’s oversight in not heeding voter sentiment earlier, emphasizing the need for improved consideration of such issues moving forward.
Biden has previously faced significant personal loss, having lost his son Beau to brain cancer in 2015. In response to the ongoing battle against cancer, he revived the Cancer Moonshot initiative last year, aiming to reduce cancer mortality by 50% over the next 25 years.
While the unfolding circumstances are certainly difficult, there is hope that advancements in treatment and the commitment to addressing cancer through initiatives like Cancer Moonshot can contribute positively to outcomes for those diagnosed with similar conditions.
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