Former President Joe Biden on May 19 sent an emotional first message after being diagnosed with an “aggressive” form of prostate cancer that has already spread to his bones.
“Cancer touches us all,” Biden tweeted, sharing a photo with his wife, Jill Biden. “Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places.”
“Thank you for lifting us up with love and support,” he added.
Biden, 82, has been flooded with messages of support from political allies and rivals alike since his office announced the grim news on May 18.
The 46th president, who ended his reelection campaign amid concerns about his age and fitness for office, is resting at home in Wilmington, Delaware, as he discusses treatment options with doctors and relatives.
Biden’s old boss, ex-President Barack Obama, sent well wishes along, as did Biden’s own former vice president, Kamala Harris. President Donald Trump set politics aside to issue his hopes for a full recovery.
The health scare unfolded after doctors found a “small nodule” on Biden’s prostate the week before during an examination prompted by his complaints about urinary symptoms.
Biden was handed the bad news on May 16 that he has metastatic prostate cancer, and the cancer has already spread to his bones.
Under the Gleason score system used to measure severity of cancers, Biden’s case was labeled a 9, the second worst on the scale that runs from 6 to 10, which would be the worst possible diagnosis.
The scale score measures the virulence of cancerous cells and tissues in the body, with a higher score meaning the cancer is more likely to spread quickly, as Biden’s has already done.
Biden was at greater risk for prostate cancer due to his age.
Biden’s doctors say his prostate cancer is “hormone-sensitive,” meaning it may be easier to treat by reducing the hormones it uses to spread.
Biden’s health and fitness for office were major talking points during the 2024 presidential race, hand he was effectively forced out of the race after a dismal debate performance against Trump.
He was the oldest president in American history, though Trump will surpass that mark if he serves out his current term.
A forthcoming book from CNN anchor Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson of Axios says Biden aides and top Democratic leaders covered up Biden’s decline in an ultimately doomed effort to win four more years in the White House.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News (TNS)
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