Joe Biden has released his first statement after his cancer diagnosis was announced.
The former US president's personal office confirmed yesterday (18 May) that the 18-year-old had a 'more aggressive' form of prostate cancer.
It said in a statement: "Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms. On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterised by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone."
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It added that his cancer 'appears to be hormone-sensitive', suggesting it can likely be managed. "The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians," it concluded.
Following this announcement, his successor, Donald Trump said he was 'saddened to hear' about the diagnosis'.
"We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery," he wrote to Truth Social, having previously coined the nickname 'Sleepy Joe' for his political rival.
Biden has now shared a post himself on social media, featuring a smiling selfie alongside his wife Jill and their cat.
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"Cancer touches us all. 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 wrote to X.
As referred to in the announcement of his diagnosis, Gleason is the commonly used grading system for prostate cancer and 'examines the pattern of cancer cells in the prostate tissue, and how they look and act, compared with normal cells', per Macmillan Cancer Research.
Cancer Research UK explains that Biden's Gleason score of 9, falling into Grade Group 5, means: "The cells look very abnormal. The cancer is likely to grow quickly."
His diagnosis comes nearly a year after he had to step back from the 2024 US presidential election as concerns around his health and age dominated conversation.
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Following this news, while Trump gave a rather sincere reaction, his eldest son's was far more controversial.
Trump Jr. targeted Biden's wife and questioned the timing of the cancer diagnosis as he said: "What I want to know is how did Dr. Jill Biden miss stage five metastatic cancer or is this yet another coverup???"
He did seem to send a messgae of support alongside the out-there claims as he responded to an image on X that read: "Politics aside, we wish him a speedy recovery!"
Trump Jr. wrote that he 'agreed 100 percent'.
Biden's former Vice President Kamala Harris sent a clear message of support as she wrote to X: "Joe is a fighter — and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership. We are hopeful for a full and speedy recovery."
Topics: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Social Media, Cancer, US News
Jess Battison