WILMINGTON: Joe Biden, the former President of the United States, expressed a sense of “optimism” regarding his future during a press briefing on Friday. This was his first public statement since disclosing his battle with an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
“The prognosis looks positive. We’re making progress with everything. I feel good,” said Biden, who is 82 years old, after an event in Delaware that acknowledged the Memorial Day holiday, which took place on Monday.
Earlier this month, his office revealed that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, specifically a Gleason score of nine, categorizing it as severe.
The seasoned Democrat shared that he has established a treatment plan, confidently stating, “I expect we’re going to overcome this.”
“The cancer hasn’t affected any organs; my bones are healthy, and it hasn’t spread. So, I’m feeling optimistic,” he noted.
The former president’s age and health were significant topics during the 2024 election, especially after a challenging debate with Donald Trump, which led him to withdraw from the race for a second term.
Despite initial reports that his cancer had metastasized to his bones, Biden reassured the press by saying, “There’s a sense of optimism regarding my diagnosis. In fact, I’m working with one of the leading surgeons worldwide.”
The political implications surrounding Biden’s abandoned candidacy have ignited controversy, especially following the release of the book “Original Sin,” which claims that his administration concealed signs of cognitive decline during his presidency.
When questioned about the backlash, Biden replied with humor, saying, “People think I’m mentally incompetent and can’t walk.” He also expressed no regrets about running for a second term, asserting that his Democratic challengers opted not to contest him because “they knew I would have won.”
In earlier statements in New Castle, Delaware, Biden referred to his presidency as his greatest privilege and advocated for improved treatment of veterans.
He dedicated poignant remarks to commemorate the tenth anniversary of his son, Beau Biden, a National Guard veteran, who passed away from brain cancer at the age of 46, stating, “For our family, this day marks the 10th anniversary of losing Beau, who served for a year in Iraq. Honestly, it’s a difficult day.”
