President Biden Thanks Americans Following Cancer Diagnosis
WASHINGTON: On Monday, President Joe Biden expressed his heartfelt thanks to the American public for their “love and support” after announcing his recent diagnosis of prostate cancer.
His diagnosis of an “aggressive” form of prostate cancer, which has spread to his bones, was made public over the weekend. This news prompted a wave of support from various quarters, including Biden’s political opponent, former President Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris, and many everyday Americans.
Biden, 82, shared a message on X, noting, “Cancer affects us all. Like many of you, Jill and I have come to understand that we find our strength in our most difficult moments.” He included a photo with his wife, Jill. “Thank you for surrounding us with your love and support,” he added.
According to his office, Biden was diagnosed on Friday after experiencing urinary symptoms and the discovery of a prostate nodule. “While this represents a more aggressive variant of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, allowing for effective management. The President and his family are currently discussing treatment plans with his doctors,” the statement also said.
Trump, who has frequently criticized Biden’s cognitive abilities and presidential record, expressed his sadness over the news. He posted on Sunday, “We send our warmest wishes to Jill and the family, and wish Joe a quick and successful recovery.”
Kamala Harris, who stepped in as the Democratic nominee when Biden withdrew from last year’s presidential race, remarked, “Joe is a fighter. I know he will tackle this challenge with the strength, resilience, and optimism that have always characterized his life and leadership.”
About Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), one in eight men will receive a diagnosis during their lifetime. If detected early, it can often be treated successfully, yet it remains the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men.
Hormone therapy is a common treatment option aimed at shrinking tumors and slowing cancer progression, though it is not a definitive cure. Biden’s cancer diagnosis includes a “Gleason score of nine (Grade Group five),” which indicates a particularly aggressive form of the disease, according to the ACS.
Biden’s health has become a significant topic in the ongoing 2024 presidential race, where Trump and his conservative allies have repeatedly critiqued the incumbent’s cognitive abilities. After a challenging debate performance against Trump, Biden opted to withdraw from the campaign for a second term.
Biden’s life has been marked by deep personal loss. In 1972, he lost his first wife and infant daughter in a tragic car accident. His son Beau passed away from an aggressive brain cancer at the age of 46 in 2015.
Following Beau’s death, then-President Barack Obama initiated a “cancer moonshot” initiative aimed at combating cancer across the U.S., putting Biden, his vice president, in charge of leading the effort. “It’s personal for me,” Biden stated at the time.
